During this time of year your voice may take an extra beating with rampant colds and flu, made worse by dry air conditions. 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 optimal performance, the vocal folds are very dependent upon hydration, to be set into vibration and maintain vibration. Otherwise vocal hoarseness, breaks, and strain tend to develop. Also, even during illness, the preference is to keep the vocal folds vibrating gently and without strain to minimize swelling, stiffness, and prolonged impacts from laryngitis. Full vocal recovery may take upwards of 2-4 weeks following an upper respiratory infection (URI).
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 water does not really matter, whatever helps you to get it down. Use large glasses or sports bottles to make it accessible, 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, at least alternate with water.
- Tea: Try some decaffeinated tea with honey to soothe your throat. Some people do like Throat Coat and Throat Comfort teas, but really any will do.
- Non-mentholated Lozenges: Water is best, but sometimes a non-mentholated lozenge or piece of hard candy can do the trick. 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 day 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. Do not add any medication to the steamer.
- Physical Rest: Making sure you get enough sleep will maximize vocal performance. 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. Ask if products such as Mucinex, which thin secretions, are worthwhile. Avoid decongestants as these tend to dry out and thicken secretions further. If you are using an inhaler, make sure to rinse your mouth well after every use.
A vocal hygiene and exercise routine can be very beneficial in maximizing your daily voice potential, even when you are under the weather. Contact Voicetrainer LLC for further questions or to schedule an appointment at info@voicetrainer.com or 202-580-6646.
~LPV
