Kirsten Dunst has turned her life around after a stint in rehab earlier this year, by ditching her showbiz lifestyle.

The actress was treated for depression at Utah's Cirque Lodge in February.

Eight months on, Dunst is happier, and has her career back on track.

She says, "Everybody in life goes through obstacles in different times of their life, and this year was my difficult time. It's part of life and it's just called growing up.

"What I have learned is if you make it out of this business and realise the whole bigger picture of it all, you are in a good spot. It's just seeing what is important and the bigger things in life."

And she is convinced swapping her Hollywood home for a new pad in New York has helped: "It's not healthy to live that kind of life.

"I don't live in the spotlight and I don't live my life in front of the paparazzi. I live very comfortably and quietly as possible."