A few of you guys have activities that I also enjoy, but I can't use them as an escape.
I enjoy lifting weights, but it doesn't help me escape. I have a lifting partner who plays in my band and we're always talking about band stuff. Plus, concentrating on my technique and the weight doesn't really let my mind wander. You let your mind wander when you have 500lbs on your back, bad stuff can happen!
I LOVE playing music, more than just about anything, but it's not really an escape. It's work for me. Either learning songs, practicing, or playing gigs, it's work. Enjoyable work, but work. Even listening to music, I can rarely let go and relax. I'm analyzing what's going on, listening to production (how'd they get the backup vocals to sound like that?), picking out instrument parts. My mind goes full bore when I'm listening.
Same goes for dog training. Too much activity around me to really escape. Watching other people train, working on my dog, thinking about what I need to work on with him.
