By Pesach Benson • April 21, 2026
Jerusalem, 21 April, 2026 (TPS-IL) — After months on the battlefield, many Israeli reservists return home only to find that ordinary life feels out of reach — and that even the simplest forms of relaxation no longer come naturally.
New research from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev suggests this quiet struggle carries consequences beyond personal well-being. In a country that relies heavily on reservists who repeatedly cycle between war and civilian life, the inability to fully “switch off” may affect recovery, workforce stability, family life and military readiness.
“Leisure activities are a vital rehabilitation tool that helps soldiers rebuild their sense of identity and return to a full life,” said Hosea Aharon and Netanel Yehud Eliya, the student researchers behind the study, published in the peer-reviewed Leisure Studies.
Both men are reservists themselves. Aharon, 27, has served more than 300 days since war began with Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, while Eliya, 26, has also accumulated over 300 days across multiple fronts. Their research, conducted under the supervision of Professor Amir Shani, is based on 25 in-depth interviews with combat reservists aged from their mid-20s to early 40s, each with at least 100 days of service between 2023 and 2025.
What emerges is a consistent pattern of disruption: activities that once structured daily life — sports, hobbies, socializing — often feel distant or meaningless after prolonged combat service.
Uri, a 24-year-old art student, said he used to paint several times a week as a way to relax. After returning from duty, he found he could no longer bring himself to start. “I couldn’t find the ability to sit down and paint,” he said, describing how his free time became dominated by passive routines.
Dean, 25, who previously played soccer regularly, said even watching matches no longer stirred emotion. “I sometimes watch, but without getting excited… it’s like something has gone off,” he said, pointing to a constant “background noise” in his mind since combat.
Everyday Life No Longer Feels Familiar
According to the researchers, this detachment reflects deeper psychological barriers. “The battle left a lingering sense of mental restlessness that made it difficult to relax,” Aharon said. “Diminished interest and psychological fatigue made once enjoyable leisure activities feel inaccessible or irrelevant.”
Some reservists also described a sense of guilt, saying moments of enjoyment felt inappropriate while others remained in combat. Many responded by immersing themselves in work, studies or family responsibilities instead.
“While none of the participants reported a formal diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, many described symptoms typically associated with post-traumatic stress—restlessness, anxiety and withdrawal,” Eliya said.
For researchers, the implications extend beyond individual hardship. Israel’s reserve system depends on repeated mobilization, often with limited time for recovery. Without adequate decompression, psychological strain may accumulate.
The study found that informal support networks — family, friends and colleagues — play a decisive role in helping reservists reconnect with daily life.
“We are not robots. We deserve to breathe too,” one participant said.
Shani said the findings should prompt a rethink among policymakers. “We found that the main difficulties are emotional numbness, constant stress that never leaves, lack of time and the burden of family and work commitments,” he said.
At the policy level, the clearest implication is that reintegration cannot end with employment or mental health services. Governments tend to focus on jobs, financial aid and clinical care, but this research highlights a missing layer: structured pathways back to everyday life, including subsidized recreation and frameworks that reconnect reservists with social circles.
For the military, the findings point to a readiness issue. Reservists who return to service without fully decompressing carry accumulated fatigue that can erode performance and resilience. The study suggests treating downtime as part of operational recovery, not simply personal leave.
The study also suggests that as reservists return to the workforce, employers may need to recalibrate expectations. Employees may be physically back but remain mentally overloaded. Steps such as flexible schedules, reduced workloads and employer-supported social activities could help ease the transition.
“Our main conclusion,” said Shani, “is that leisure is not a luxury for fighters. It is an essential rehabilitation tool that helps them rebuild their sense of identity and return to a full life.”
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