Peter Coonan: It's worth testing yourself, rather than taking the easy route

My morning routine is to get up, if I've time, have a shower, and get the kids ready for school. It really hasn't changed much at all, lockdown or no lockdown.

Sometimes I'll skip breakfast if I'm doing intermittent fasting, which I've been doing for quite some time now. If I have the freedom to eat whatever I want, then I'd certainly be having eggs in the morning – poached eggs with smoked salmon, maybe, or bacon if I'm feeling like I need a treat.

For lunch I would have some form of a salad with protein.

On a typical working day, for my evening meal I would have a bit of fish or a steak - although I'm trying to eat less red meat at the moment.

I have been able to work from home and I've found it difficult because I don't really have the space to work, so I end up sitting on my bed. During lockdown, it was difficult because coffee shops were closed for the initial part and I feel, from the creative standpoint, that you need to get out of the house to be able to find some creative flow. Just getting out of your comfort zone is important because you know there's a comfy couch downstairs or you know the kids are downstairs and you end up playing with them, or whatever else that inevitably happens. So, I have been able to work from home, but it has been difficult at times.

Best and easiest lockdown meal was when I made a big ham at the start of the week, then the next day, between sandwiches and spaghetti carbonara, was pretty easy and straightforward.

Weekend treat would be a burger and a place in Dublin that does my favourite burger.

I suppose, if I have the chance during the day, I might go down and do some breathing exercises and some yoga, but sometimes you're not given the chance with the busy life and work schedule that I have. But I do try. I notice when I don't and that's very honestly the truth.

I do fall in and out of it at times and, to be honest, I haven't done anything for six or seven weeks because I've been on a set. And then, after Christmas with Covid and various reasons, I just didn't get back into the gym.

I relax by watching a film or a series on the couch with my 'other half'.

Tipple.

The book I'm currently reading is called The Witness by Nicola Tallant and tells the story of Joey 'The Lips' O'Callaghan - a heart-wrenching tale.

That's a tough one to choose - probably Breaking Bad.

If I test myself, then it's often to extremes... it's worth it to test yourself rather than take the easy route and I suppose that's surprising to me.

I don't have cabin fever. I never really have.

Good coffee, spending time with my dad and being able to go for a nice meal. And maybe the kids being in school for a while...

I'll go for a slap-up meal with the family. And try to give something to people who need it more than I do.

Biggest gripe is when you let people out in the car or open a door for people and they don't thank you.

Yes, I suppose, with family it has. You expect it to change slightly with family, in that it's important. And we have far more than we think we need.

Padel tennis - I took up a game called padel which was quite exciting. It's a Spanish game, kind of a mixture between squash and tennis.

I would like to think that we would remember that greed is something that we all felt was seeping into our lives far too easily and, as I said previously, many of us in this world have far more than we think we need and need less than we think we want. So I think, be happy with your lot and give more to others. We find ourselves in the midst of a global crisis and now a war, a European war at the moment, but God knows where it could end. Hopefully now we can see that there are people far worse off than us and it's more considerate to help them.

The honest answer is no, but it has changed towards my parents and partner's parents. That means trying to spend more time with family and creating more memories with family – that has become even more important than it previously was.