There is sufficient evidence to suggest that if we consistently override the feelings of fatigue, there will undoubtedly be health consequences.

The most commonly reported consequence is burnout (Maslach, 1976), a significant and enduring health problem associated with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment.

Other potential conditions include high blood pressure, heart attacks, stroke, gastrointestinal problems, and cancer.

That said, the demands of the modern working world means that it isn’t always possible to take a break when we are tired. Therefore, it is essential to recognize what makes us tired and how we respond to being fatigued.

Consequently, it is crucial to develop effective coping strategies to minimize the adverse effects of feeling tired and worn out:

• Be aware of what makes you tired, i.e., specific tasks, time of day, etc.

• Be aware of the short-term psychological consequences.

• If you can reorganize your work, do so; if not, be aware that your judgment may be affected and that you may be more inclined to take risks and jump to conclusions.

Use the following questions to identify what makes you tired, how you usually react, and what coping strategies you could develop to deal with them better:

• What typically makes you tired?

• How do you react?

• What might be a better potential coping strategy?

Remember, there are different types of fatigue: mental fatigue, emotional fatigue, physical fatigue, morning tiredness, and evening tiredness, so taking inventory of what type of fatigue you are feeling is key.