Esports as a rehabilitation tool for military personnel: overcoming stress and stress-related conditions

The potential of esports as a rehabilitative tool for military personnel, particularly in the context of stress and stress-related conditions, is a promising avenue for further investigation. This study examines the potential of esports to reduce stress and enhance psychological well-being. This study examines the mechanisms through which video games and esports activities contribute to reducing anxiety, increasing emotional stability, and developing stress resistance. Esports is conceptualized as a relaxation and cognitive stimulation tool, which helps in effective stress management through distraction and engagement in-game tasks. Particular attention is paid to the role of social interaction in team games, which contributes to the development of a sense of support and social integration. The practical aspects of using esports in rehabilitation and stress management programs are highlighted. This study considers the potential of esports as an innovative means of rehabilitation for military personnel who have experienced stress and stress-related disorders. The relationship between gaming activities and psychological adaptation is analyzed, and the effectiveness of esports in overcoming the effects of combat stress is substantiated. Esports is proposed as a way of psychological support that promotes social integration and improves the emotional state of veterans, reducing the level of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Esports are positioned as an emerging pathway for veterans to transition into civilian life, with opportunities for professional development in the gaming industry, from content creation to esports coaching. This dual function—as therapy and career catalyst—makes esports a uniquely versatile resource. This study concludes by emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to expand research into esports' rehabilitative potential, particularly in anxiety and social reintegration challenges.