Iaido can be an excellent refuge.
The meditative qualities of Iai and I suppose any martial discipline are often forgotten.
At a particularly horrible time in my life I had spent almost two full weeks grieving. When I was finally able to go to the dojo, it gave me almost two hours break from my grief. Two hours to be able to concentrate solely on practicing techniques (I can't remember if I was practicing Koryu or Seitei at the time).
I don't suppose it was the best Iai I've ever produced, and I suspect it was well below my normal standard at the time. It was however, a welcome break and helped me in more ways than I probably even realise.
After the practice I still had to face up to life, but I was better able to because I'd had two hours away from life.