Sandra Marvin\'s found "strength" in Buddhism after suffering with anxiety.
The soap star - who recently confirmed she is quitting \'Emmerdale\' after two years as Jessie Grant - was introduced to the religion by co-star Gaynor Faye (Megan Macey), and admitted it was a good fit for her lifestyle and beliefs.
Speaking to OK! magazine, she said: "I\'ve meditated on and off since I was 15. It\'s always something I looked to when I was struggling with anxiety or nerves.
"Gaynor introduced me to Buddhism in the last year and it\'s a really good fit for my lifestyle and my beliefs. It\'s really been a great strength to me."
Sandra - who also enjoys a "very large gin and tonic" after a tough scene - suffered anxiety for over 10 years, but now uses exercise and her faith to help "calm her".
She added: "Exercise really helps me, especially yoga, and my Buddhism. It helps me focus my mind; it answers questions and calms me."
The star has decided to leave \'Emmerdale\' to focus on a fresh "challenge", but admitted it\'s a big risk to call it a day in the Dales.
She said: "It\'s been an amazing time on \'Emmerdale\' but I\'m also excited to see what the future could hold. It was a really hard one as I love soaps and I always dreamed of being in one. I\'ve had the most fantastic time."
Sandra - who first appeared in the ITV soap in 2017 - has now turned her attention to the stage and joined the cast of \'The Thunder Girls\' alongside Coleen Nolan and Coronation Street\'s Beverley Callard.
