Drew Barrymore "did not recognise the person [she] saw in the mirror" following "a round of hormone therapy"

She explained to People: "[I] just went through a round of hormone therapy, [and it was] tough.

"Everyone said it would be trial and error, and I just went through a lot of error. I did not recognise the person I saw in the mirror. I was like, 'Is that the crypt keeper? No, that's me.'

"I just didn't feel good about myself."

From that moment, the talk show host took action and now does "seven healthy habits".

She explained: "Every time I feel that way, I'm like, 'OK, buckle down: eat cleaner, prioritise sleep, start exercising a little bit more, and just get yourself back to centre.'

"My therapist and mentor, Dr. Barry Michels, helped me write out a list of seven healthy habits for me that work, and I just get back to that list. It's actually faded over time, and I retrace it with a black pen so I can still read it perfectly because it helps.

"It's not good to stay stuck and not feeling confident or attractive or good about yourself. So these are just little steps you can take."

She added: "I got a little walking pad that I stuffed under my couch, and now when I eat on the couch, I get on the walking pad for 10 minutes and keep watching my show.

"I also started waking up 10 minutes earlier because I always felt like the last 10 minutes of getting my kids out the door for school was hell on wheels.

"I was like, 'OK, you can stay stuck in this s***** pattern, or you can fix it by doing everything 10 minutes earlier and seeing how it feels.' It's still not perfect, but it's a little bit better. Honestly, I should wake up 10 more minutes earlier."

The ET star has also changed up her beauty habits.

Drew said: "I know it's winter, I know nobody's looking at my legs, but I shaved my legs the other day and that made me feel 20 times less like a Neanderthal.

"You know what else I did? I gave myself a home pedicure. I cleaned out my toenails. And, I got my gray roots done.

"These are things that we women don't carve out time for, and then all of a sudden you look at yourself and you're like, 'I am not just a crypt keeper. I'm a hairy crypt keeper with dry skin.'"

But ultimately, being kinder to herself is what makes Drew feel better.

She said: "I think trying to also be a little kinder to ourselves mentally and not speaking so negatively inside of our own heads has been a huge help for how good I feel about myself ...

"Focus on something bigger than yourself."