Now recovering from a ‘horrible’ brush with COVID-19, former Loose Woman Andrea McLean, 52, explains why it’s so important to take care of yourself
You’re a mum of two and you run your own business. Is there time for a health and beauty regime?
I’ll be honest – I have my moments when I spend too much time working and replying to emails when I shouldn’t be. I can let my usual self-care routine slip and I really notice it because those are the things that help the most. The most important thing is that I get enough sleep. I go to bed at around 10.30pm and I get up around 7am. That’s not hard to do. Self-care isn’t about putting pressure on yourself. I meditate every morning for 20 minutes and then do some kind of movement, whether that’s yoga or lifting a few weights. I also did the couch to 5K but I never do anything that feels like punishment. If I have a day where I have loads of energy and I fancy a run, I’ll do it. If I don’t, I won’t. Our energy goes up and down so you need to work with it. I’ve started having facials again, which are lovely and so relaxing. I’ve been working with PureSkin, who have these amazing machines that do eight things in one, so it’s a brilliant multitasker!
You had COVID-19 at Christmas. Were you very ill?
It was pretty horrible. I thought I had flu because I did a test and it was negative. I had a raging temperature, everything smelt and tasted horrible, all my joints ached and my skin hurt. I felt utterly wretched but I kept going and every now and again I’d go, ‘I’m just going to lie on the sofa for a minute’. Then my test came back positive and I thought, I’m not doing it any more. It was nice having a reason to stop, and I noticed the areas where my self-care may have slipped and I started it up again.
How does meditation help you?
I do guided meditation using an app called Insight Timer. I go into my tiny spare room and put a little notice on the door so everyone knows not to come in. It means you start the day well and if you’re feeling irritable, it resets you. That’s got nothing to do with having a flat stomach or buns of steel. But actually, it all builds towards that picture of just looking well. And that’s what it should be about.
You’re a trained life coach and run your own wellness website. Have those things taught you a lot?
What it’s taught me is that actually, a lot of the time we know the answers already. Coaching is about asking people quest
