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Following a concussion, simple physical activities such as walking and playing can also result in fatigue. This is known as intolerance to exercise. 

This physical fatigue or exercise intolerance can be managed with a gradual and progressive exercise program, much like a top athlete retraining. For most people, physical fatigue tends to go away within a few days or weeks following a concussion injury. You can then return to physical activity and exercise.

What is surprising and often frustrating for many people with a concussion, is the mental fatigue. For example, you could spend all day playing and not feel tired from it, but an hour of homework can leave you exhausted.

In some people, this mental fatigue can last for long periods of time. It is like owning a car that you can only fill with half a tank of gas. You can now only go half as far as you used to. When you run out of gas, the engine just stops. With mental fatigue, it is as if the brain runs out of chemicals and needs to stop.

 If you have persistent symptoms, it may take you longer to regain your mental energy.

Most people tend to get fatigued in the afternoon, generally around 2:00pm or 3:00pm. One suggestion would be to do the things that may be more difficult, earlier in the day when your mind is clearer. Keep in mind that fatigue can also affect your memory. 

If you learn information when you are fresh, it is more likely to stay with you. If you stay up late studying for a big exam, you will have more problems recalling the information the next day than if you had studied in the morning.

Exercise improves your ability to think.  When you exercise, more oxygen gets into your blood stream and helps your ability to think. If your doctor has cleared you to do exercise, you should make a conscious effort to do so.

People who have chronic pain syndromes benefit from certain types of exercises. For example, swimming is very good for people who have neck or back pain. Therefore, always talk with your doctor about what exercise will work best for you.

A good diet or nutrition is important. This should come from eating 3 good nutritious meals a day. In our busy society, people tend to eat a doughnut, have some coffee and rush off to school or work. This is not sustainable. 

The sugar from a doughnut or the caffeine from coffee can give you a brief burst of energy (or the sugar buzz), but that energy does not last. The problem with sugar is that you are on a "roller coaster" where you get a burst of energy but then you come crashing down.

The trick to keeping the energy consistent is to have a constant supply of energy to the brain through regular nutritious meals and snacks. These release energy slowly rather than in a burst.

You will need to give the brain the time it needs to build a tolerance to fatigue. A common approach is to have people slowly return to activity. 

You might start with part-time hours of 1 to 3 hours per day of school or work. Gradually increasing the hours, only when you can tolerate it. 

Some people have trouble understanding illnesses that cannot be seen. Fatigue can therefore be misinterpreted as laziness or a lack of interest. A head injury program can work with the school or an employer to make this possible.