This time of year your voice may take an extra beating with the dry air conditions, and rampant colds and flu. What are you to do? Well some attention to daily voice care may be just what the doctor ordered to keep your voice in tip-top shape for work, school, or that next presentation.
For optimal performance, the vocal folds are very dependent upon hydration, not only to be set into vibration, but also to maintain vibration and voice. Otherwise voice breaks and strain tend to develop. Also, during illness, the vocal folds tend to swell and stiffen secondary to laryngitis. The preference is to keep the vocal folds vibrating, gently and without strain to minimize swelling and prolonged impacts from laryngitis.
Here are some tips to help your voice thrive this season:
- Hydrate: Use water frequently and throughout the day. Sips are preferred over massive consumption all at once. Cold, warm, tap or bottled does not really matter, whatever helps you to get it down. Use a large glass for less frequent refills or sports bottle, and carry it with you.
- Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol both have drying effects on the voice. If you prefer not to eliminate entirely, then cut back and at least alternate with water, and then try to avoid on high voice use days.
- Non-mentholated Lozenges: Water is best, but sometimes a non-mentholated lozenge or piece of hard candy can do the trick. Menthol is avoided as it is drying on the throat. These can be used throughout the day, and are recommended 5-10 minutes before a presentation or performance. Some to try include: Grether’s Pastilles, Hall’s Breezers, Smith Brothers, Pine Brothers, Wedderspoon manuka honey, Luden’s, Werther’s, etc.
- Steam Inhalation: Use of a steam inhaler 1-2 x’s/day for 5-10 minutes each can be very soothing, especially in the setting of dryness, congestion, or irritation. Vick’s is the most common brand available in our region, and it’s easy to clean. http://goo.gl/4q5YM1. Keep your face up away from the steamer to avoid burn, and do not add any medication.
- Physical Rest: Making sure you get enough sleep will maximize vocal performance. Voice use can be quite physically demanding. Your voice will only be as good as you feel.
- Voice Rest: Extended voice rest is typically only recommended following vocal surgery and vocal hemorrhage. However, brief intermittent periods of voice rest incorporated throughout the day as you use your voice can help to minimize fatigue effects on your voice.
- Voice Exercises: A routine of exercises designed for daily vocal warm-up and cool-down can be designed for you by a speech pathologist.
- Physician: See a physician if your voice difficulties persist beyond 2 weeks.
A vocal hygiene and exercise routine can be very beneficial in maximizing your daily voice potential. Contact Voicetrainer LLC for further questions or to schedule an appointment at info@voicetrainer.com or 202-580-6646.
~LPV
