AceShowbiz - Hollywood's charm can be alluring, but for actress Amanda Seyfried, relocating from Los Angeles to a quieter farm life was pivotal for her well-being. The "Mean Girls" star, who is 38, now resides on a rustic farm in upstate New York along with her husband, fellow actor Thomas Sadoski, 48, and their two children, Nina, seven, and Thomas, four.

Seyfried reveals that this significant move has been the "best decision" for her family's privacy and peace. "I moved upstate long before I had a family. Staying here was the best decision for privacy, peace and nature. It offers a more balanced life than the city does," Seyfried shared with Forbes. Indeed, escaping the hustle and bustle of city life has been essential for her mental health.

Among their various animals - chickens, horses, goats, and a donkey - Amanda has a special bond with her 15-year-old Australian Shepherd, Finn. "Having Finn to come home to when I was in my 20's in Hollywood helped keep me grounded. My pets truly keep me balanced," she noted. Finn has been a significant source of comfort for Amanda during her early career days, and living amidst animals continues to bring a grounding influence.

This natural upbringing is imparting unique life skills to her children from a young age. "I can see them learning what a responsibility and treat it is to care for pets, even at their young ages. I think all pets give us purpose. And because they do so much to enrich our lives, we are responsible for theirs, which includes managing their health and wellness," Amanda explained regarding her children's experience with farm life.

Amanda has also found a positive perspective on discussing life and death with her young brood, sharing that the farm's environment helps them understand these concepts naturally. "They know he's an old man, and my daughter especially, she knows that things die, but you get a chunk of time with them, you respect them, you love them, you give them the best life they can have, and then they go, and you remember them. It's just like it's the most positive spin that you can have," she conveyed to PEOPLE magazine.

The actress believes that being surrounded by numerous animals has facilitated conversations about death with her children, preparing them with a healthier appreciation for life and its natural cycles.

"What I've learned living on a farm is that I've been exposed to a lot of death, and it's helped me shape my relationship with it. And I am almost positive that my kids will have a healthier understanding and appreciation for life and death because of the farm," Amanda added.

Clearly, this tranquil lifestyle not only nurtures Amanda's mental health but also fosters a balanced and enriched upbringing for her children.