Sleep

“Cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.”

—Doctrine and Covenants 88:124

Sleep is essential to good health. If you hope to function at your best as a missionary, you must prioritize getting enough high-quality sleep each night. Seven to nine hours of sleep a night is optimal for most adults. By following the recommended missionary schedule, you can get up to nine hours of sleep a night.

Studies show that when we chronically lack sleep, we begin to experience physical and mental health issues. We will feel tired and run down and will struggle with memory and focus. In addition, lack of sleep worsens anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. All these things can greatly limit your effectiveness as a missionary and negatively impact the work.

The strategies listed below will help you get the high-quality, restful sleep your body and your mind need to feel fresh and rejuvenated each day to do the Lord’s important work.