Gaming as a Tool for Mental Resilience.
How play helps us process stress, build grit, and stay connected
Cognitive Engagement
Video games challenge the brain in ways that promote focus, adaptability, and strategic thinking. Strategy titles like XCOM or Civilization require planning and resource management, while puzzle games like Portal stimulate problem-solving and spatial reasoning. Also, if you play Civilization, prepare not to sleep. I have had plenty of sleepless nights before I got married, playing Civilization. Fast-paced shooters and action games sharpen reaction time and multitasking. These mental workouts can help players stay sharp, especially during periods of stress or recovery.
Research shows that video games can enhance cognitive flexibility and executive functioning, particularly when players engage in complex, goal-oriented tasks (Ballou et al., 2025).
Emotional Regulation
Gaming offers a safe space to decompress and process emotions. Calming games like Stardew Valley promote relaxation through routine and gentle pacing, while story-driven titles like Celeste or Life is Strange explore themes of anxiety, grief, and resilience. Immersive worlds allow players to escape, reflect, and regain a sense of control.
A recent study found that positive in-game experiences, including emotional engagement and social connection, can indirectly enhance psychological resilience (Zhao et al., 2024).
Resilience Through Failure
Games are built around the trial-and-error principle: fail, learn, and retry. Roguelikes and platformers teach persistence and pattern recognition. Competitive games reward adaptation and strategic growth. Players learn to embrace setbacks as part of progress. This loop fosters grit and a growth mindset, which can translate into genuine resilience in the real world.
Zhao et al. (2024) highlight that game-based experiences of competence and challenge can foster emotional strength, although excessive frustration may have the opposite effect.
Social Connection
Multiplayer games foster community and collaboration. Co-op titles encourage teamwork and communication. Online communities offer shared goals, humor, and support. For those facing isolation, whether due to geography, health, or life transitions, games can be a lifeline.
Ballou et al. (2025) emphasize that social interaction in games contributes to mental well-being, especially when players feel connected and supported.
Gaming in High-Stress Professions
People in high-pressure roles, such as those in the military, healthcare, and emergency services, often turn to gaming as a means of decompression. It offers structure, agency, and emotional relief after long hours or intense situations. Games simulate mission-based thinking and reward problem-solving, which resonates with those trained to operate under pressure.
Take me, a former British Army Signaller and Tank Crewman. I used RPGs to escape the mental burden of battlefield readiness and technical troubleshooting, letting me explore worlds where my experiences felt fresh and unique, separate from my job. My friends preferred FPS titles, such as Battlefield and Call of Duty, for the adrenaline and camaraderie; some of their conversations were not suitable for young ears. Gaming was more than just a hobby; it was a way to stay grounded, connected, and mentally alert.
Studies suggest that active video games (AVGs) can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while also improving sleep and motivation (Zhao et al., 2024).
References
Ballou, N., Hakman, T., Vuorre, M., Magnusson, K., & Przybylski, A. K. (2025). How do video games affect mental health? A narrative review of 13 proposed mechanisms. Technology, Mind, and Behavior, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.1037/tmb0000152
Zhao, J.-L., Hu, K., Tang, J.-X., Tang, L., Wang, C.-Y., & Shields, J. (2024). Does playing video games improve psychological resilience? The mediating roles of in-game positive and negative affect, sense of competence, and social connection. Psychology of Popular Media, 13(3), 524–528. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000471
Zhao, Y., Soh, K. G., Abu Saad, H., Rong, W., Liu, C., & Wang, X. (2024). Effects of active video games on mental health among college students: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 24, Article 3482. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21011-9