(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Gwyneth Paltrow once stayed in a "hippie style silent retreat" because she was so desperate to control her stress levels.

The American star has a very busy life. As well as being an Oscar-winning actress she has also been showing off her vocal talents lately, having appeared in musical show Glee and performing at this year's Grammys.

Gwyneth released a cook book earlier this year too, has her own lifestyle website and raises two small children with her husband Chris Martin.

Her hectic life means the star often finds it hard to relax and the latest edition of her GOOP newsletter is all about stress. She admits getting het up often, and going to extreme measures to help herself.

"I have never been very good at handling stress (though a bit of meditation helps), and I wanted some very practical ways of reducing it that I could use during the course of my day," she explained. "I got some good answers that don't require a 90 minute yoga class, or flying to a hippie style silent retreat (I've actually done onedon't ask), just simple things that we all have access to."

Among the tips included in the email are eating healthily and not succumbing to sugar cravings when faced with a busy period in your life. Deep breathing, exercising and massaging yourself with sesame oil every morning are other suggestions. (C) Cover Media