Have any of you sought mental well-being/therapeutic effects from going /out/? Has it worked for you? Without getting too new-agey have you found some degree of healing from being /out/? Does it persist into "real life"?

I've heard from a few people that it grounds them and puts things into perspective. Which sounds a bit like meditation. Do you think it's a form of escapism?

Do you think it's as simple as getting fresh air, moving your body with purpose, and seeing some nice sights (e.g. looking at stars or a majestic valley)?

Personally I'm somewhat prone to depressive episodes, although I can't say that I've ever had full-blown depression. I think going outdoors helps me a great deal.

Also, what triggered this question is a movie (probably cheesy) that a friend wants to see with me, called Wild starring Reese Witherspoon. AFAIK she decides to hike a thousand miles to get over a serious break-up/betrayal/whatever.

Thoughts? Experiences?