Mission Prep: Physical & Mental Health

Since President Monson’s announcement about the change in mission age during General Conference last October, thousands of young men and young women have made the decision to serve a mission. As of April 4, 2013, there were 65,634 full-time missionaries, 20,000 with their mission calls, and 6,000 in the interview process. As a comparison, there were 58,990 missionaries at the end of 2012, 55,410 at the end of 2011, and 52,225 at the end of 2010.

In order to be a successful missionary, it is important that you are physically and mentally well. The following are suggestions given by Dr. Donald A. Doty, Chairman of the Missionary Department Health Services, to prepare for missionary service:

Physical Preparation

• Regular physical activity. A typical missionary can expect to walk an average of six miles a day or bike an average of twelve miles a day. Prospective missionaries should participate in regular aerobic exercise so they will be prepared for the physical activity required each day of the mission. If you become easily fatigued out in the field, you may be less productive, become more discouraged, or experience additional health problems.
• Adequate sleep. As a missionary, you will be in bed by 10:30 PM and awake by 6:30 AM. Get into a stable routine of going to bed and waking up at normal times. Avoid staying up extremely late, sleeping late into the day, or taking long naps.
• Healthy eating habits. Prospective missionaries must be at a healthy weight to serve a mission. It is also important that you eat a balanced diet of grains, fruits, vegetables, and other foods containing protein and fiber. If you have an addiction to carbonated drinks, break the habit.
• Meal preparation skills. It is important that you know simple meal preparation skills as well as food handling and proper clean up. Many missionaries will only have a hot plate to cook food and may not have a dishwasher – these basic skills will be very helpful.
• Personal hygiene. Practice good dressing and grooming habits. The way you present yourself will have an impression on the people you talk too. Good hygiene habits like hand-washing will also protect you from germs and infection.
• Dental health. Take care of any dental repair or orthodontic work before your mission. Brush your teeth at least every morning and night, and floss your teeth.
• Chronic health issues. Discuss and take care of any chronic or serious health problems with your doctor.
• Immunizations. Obtain all of the necessary and required vaccinations. Once you receive your call, you may be required to get additional shots.

Mental Health

• Mood disorders. If you experience chronic or recurring depression, anxiety, sadness, or fear, you should discuss this with a doctor and receive treatment if necessary.
• Abnormal thought patterns & learning disorders. Excessive thoughts of worry or guilt or perfectionism can limit your ability to serve as a missionary, as well as obsessive-compulsive thoughts or learning disorders. Speak with your doctor to treat these thought patterns.
• Eating disorders. Prospective missionaries should not have unhealthy eating habits like binge eating or anorexia or bulimia. These can create serious health risks and are not compatible with missionary service. They need to be resolved before a mission.
• Homesickness. Although some homesickness is a normal response to leaving home for the mission, severe anxiety can interfere with a missionary’s ability to work, eat, and sleep. If possible, before you leave from your mission, learn to spend some time away from home.
• Social skills. As a missionary, you will be interacting with people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. You should become comfortable talking to different people. Practice respect, courtesy, and appropriate manners. Learn to initiate conversations and talk with people you may not know or who are out of your normal circle of acquaintances. Be aware of cultural differences throughout the world.
• Work. “Missionary work is just that, work. There is nothing easy about missionary work, so young people should develop the ability to work reliably. A regular job teaches such habits as getting to work on time, not missing work unnecessarily, doing assigned tasks well, looking for more work when the assigned task is completed, and not going home early.” Work also helps young people understand the value of money. Missionaries should try to pay for as much as their missions as possible rather than depending on others. 

 

Mission Physicals

Before you submit your mission papers, you will be required to meet with a doctor and have a “mission physical.” At the Student Health Center, our providers have conducted over 834 mission physicals since last October and are doing more every day.

The Student Health Center has the following guidelines for setting up and coming to your mission physical:
After you have met with your bishop, print the following forms and fill them out:

• Physician’s Health Evaluation
• Personal Health History of Missionary Candidate
• Additional Health History
• Immunization Records
• Bishop's Address

Schedule TWO appointments at the Health Center by calling 208-496-9330.

1. Immunizations Nurse and Lab – bring your printed forms and current immunization records!
2. Physical appointment with provider (two days later).

To prepare for your appointment, drink plenty of water before coming and make sure to wear your glasses or contacts if you normally wear them.

Once your mission papers are complete, the Student Health Center will mail them directly to your bishop!
Everything you do now to prepare for your mission – whether it’s physically, mentally, or spiritually – will help you in your future service! Begin your preparations today!

Sources:
“Missionary Health Preparation” Donald B. Doty, M.D. Ensign, March 2007. http://www.lds.org/ensign/2007/03/missionary-health-preparation?lang=eng

“Missionary Physical Guidelines” BYU-Idaho Student Health Center. http://www.byui.edu/health-center/services/mission-physicals