The Importance of Work-Life Balance for Athletic Trainers

An interesting article was recently brought to our attention that focuses on work-life balance of athletic trainers working in the Division 1 collegiate setting.  Because these athletic trainers often work more than forty hours a week, finding a balance between their work life and home/social life becomes an essential part of their life. “Fulfillment of Work-Life Balance From the Organization Perspective: A Case Study” was researched and written by Stephanie Mazerolle and Ashley Goodman.  This particular case study focuses on a group of athletic trainers that work together at a division 1 collegiate university.  Through surveys and journals written by the athletic trainers involved in the study, the authors found that there are three areas that are particularly important for maintaining a healthy work life balance.  These areas include family-oriented and supportive work environment, non-work outlets, and individualistic strategies.  Family-oriented and supportive work environment is defined as a workplace that promotes work-life balance by involving co-workers that have similar goals within in their profession and personal life.  One essential aspect that works towards establishing this type of environment is having a supervisor that does not “mirco-manage”, which allows the athletic trainers to feel as though they have power over their schedule and abilities to meet their personal and professional goals.  These goals can also be accomplished when employees share their workloads and responsibilities.  By covering for one another when schedules change or things come up, co-works help each other to establish a healthy work-life balance.  Having interests outside of athletic training is also an important aspect of a healthy work-life balance as well as creating separation between their work and those non-work outlets.  By having interests outside of the training room, athletic trainers are better able to come back to work rejuvenated and committed to their job.  A positive, healthy non-work outlet is physical activity such as exercise, which has found to be lacking in many athletic trainers. Lastly, individualistic strategies are important for creating a healthy work-life balance.  This involves having their own strategies for managing their responsibilities.  A commonly used strategy for prioritizing is making to do lists.  In conclusion, this article highlights areas that are important for athletic trainers to establish a healthy work-life balance.  These strategies involve relying on their fellow co-workers and supervisor, having interests outside of the training room, and determining which strategies work best for the individual in regards to organizing and prioritizing their responsibilities. If all of these strategies and techniques sound vaguely familiar, then you have realized the article was researched and written about our own LSU Athletic Training Staff! To learn more about work-life balance and the factors that contribute to a healthy one view the article below. 

http://natajournals.org/doi/pdf/10.4085/1062-6050-48.2.06