Kate Hudson: Happiness is hard work

Kate Hudson believes you have to work at happiness.

Despite her successful acting career and her relationship with rock star fiancé Matthew Bellamy, with whom she has two-year-old son Bingham, Kate admits that at times she finds venting her anger is a necessity.

She's also not big on the advice self-help books churn out, preferring a more realistic approach when it comes to handling her emotions.

"I think happiness is a practice. But not the sort you find in self-help books, where you smile and have a vision board. You're fooling yourself to think that's how you're going to find it," Kate explained to Self magazine. "I love the idea of a gratitude journal, but there are times when mine turns into a venting journal. Not so grateful, just a big ol' vent!"

Kate's relationship with Muse frontman Matthew recently hit the headlines, with numerous reports suggesting the couple were going through a rocky patch.

While Kate didn't confirm the speculation, she did reveal that making a romantic union work can be a struggle.

"Relationships are the most challenging things. It's where you do the most work in your life. You come face-to-face with yourself, and if you can deal with realising we’re all flawed, accept it and work with it, you might have a really amazing, lasting relationship," she expressed.

Looking to her own mom and dad for inspiration, 35-year-old Kate is hopeful that lifelong happiness is attainable.

"If I look at my parents [Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell], who've been together thirty-something years, I'd say no matter what they've been through, they share similar values and really like each other," she smiled.