I’ve always been an early riser, and I love that quiet time as the sun’s coming up to get my thoughts in order, have the first cup of tea of the day and maybe catch up on the headlines in my own time. Spring is my favourite time of the year when I also get to just listen to the birds in the garden.

 

Talking of gardens, this is really my happy place. I subscribe to the ‘shove it in and see what happens’ school of gardening, and ‘wild’ is definitely better than manicured in my garden. I love my potting shed, my greenhouse and the pond and I get really excited if any veg grows.

 

Fiction, crime and thrillers, historical, non-fiction, biographies, travel journals, I like them all and I’ve usually got one or two books on the go at any one time.

 

I’m definitely not a natural athlete, but I know how physical activity affects my mood for the better. I’ve been going to Fit Camp for a few years now and my overall health, physical fitness and strength are so much better now, and I notice when I haven’t been attending. I love swimming too.

 

My family keep me grounded, so a catch up with them to talk through what’s going on is always a great stressbuster. Having good mates that you can always count on is really important too, even if you don’t perhaps see them as much as you’d like.