Drew Barrymore has explained why she has been pictured with the word ‘Breathe’ written on her arm.

The actress said having it written there was a result of a recent two-week solo visit to India.

Speaking on David Letterman’s chat show, she said: ‘I was trying to remember the importance of everything and to keep breathing.

‘I want to remember everything I study, to keep up with my meditations and prayers.’

Talking about her journey, she said: ‘I was studying spirituality and religions and I explored different temples and walked barefoot through the streets. I went to Delhi. It’s a very spiritual, thoughtful place. People are so kind.’

‘It was a life-changing experience. I was looking for a shift of consciousness and I was very blessed.’

She also told how she took the ashes of her dog Flossy to India to scatter them in the River Ganges.

But she insisted: ‘I’m not one of those crazy neurotic dog people. I’m a cool girl.’