Kristen Bell uses a therapist so she has a "bigger toolbox" to help her through issues.

The American actress has discussed how she keeps in shape both physically and emotionally with the February edition of Self magazine.

She finds talking through her issues with professionals helps her work out what is important in life.

"[My therapist gives me] a bigger toolbox [to work with and friends] build your self-esteem exponentially," she explained.

The 31-year-old added that although she works out, for her exercising is about health. She doesn't link her fitness regime to her body image.

"I go through spurts. Working out for me has nothing to do with body image - I refuse to look in the mirror and hate myself," she said.

Kristen has been engaged to Dax Shepard for two years but at the moment they don't have plans to tie the knot. She feels fully committed in her relationship and sees no reason to change that in the foreseeable future.

"We consider ourselves already married," she told Vegas magazine. "We already wear the rings. I don't want a wedding. It's too much stress."

The couple are totally happy with each other and enjoy hanging out together. They recently worked on a movie called Outrun, with meant they had to spend a lot of time with each other.

"It was the most wonderful experience," Kristen enthused. "We spent every waking moment together for eight weeks and did not get sick of each other. We are the couple that can do that."