I think it is generally around this time of year when the grind of football meets with the beginning of basketball and soccer, not to mention the pressure of the impending holiday season, when most of us are just looking for an opportunity to take a deep breath, much less a break. Coupled with crazy schedules are the pressures of maintaining a life and balancing personal responsibilities. It can be frustrating to the point of ...BURNOUT.
Athletic trainers in most settings do not get an "off-season," and burnout is a real issue facing our profession. We often feel we work too much, get paid too little and it begs the question "Is this worth it?"
Well? Is it?
Athletic training loses many young professionals to burnout. What can we do to curb that trend? What needs to happen?
Less hours?
More pay?
Greater public knowledge and improved overall perception of our role in health care?
All of these would be great, but would they really decrease burnout?
I try to take full advantage of my weekends off, and thoroughly enjoy my holidays away from work by spending time with family and chilling out. I take work, and life, as it comes and make sure to prioritize and this really helps me. Work is important, but it is not most important.
What are some things you do to prevent burnout for yourself?
What do you suggest the profession do to decrease burnout overall?
