Therapists Share 18 Unique Ways of Managing Anxiety, Beyond Exercise and Meditation

While anxiety pulls us out of the moment and into an imaginary future or painful past, sex and masturbation "allow us to sink into the present moment and fully occupy our own bodies in a positive, pleasurable way," said Leah Rockwell, LCPC. You'll also flood your body with calming hormones rather than cortisol, the stress hormone, she said.