Monday, December 20, 2010

Instructions For A Healthy Voice

It’s that time of year when it seems like everyone you know is sick, so here are some tips for keeping your voice healthy while you have a cold:

Limit your talking
Your larynx is swollen and needs time to rest so it can be healthy again.

Drink tons of water
Drinking water should be a regular practice even when you’re not sick! But when you have a cold drinking lots of water will help keep everything lubricated and healthy and potentially keep the cold from reaching your lungs.

Try not to cough or clear your throat
Coughing and clearing your throat causes damage because it’s a rough and abrasive action.

Gargle
Gargling with warm salt water will kill any bacteria that may be associated with your cold.

Drink hot mint, lemon or ginger tea with honey
Not only are these naturally soothing and have anti-inflammatory properties, but the hot liquid feels good too.

Drink pineapple juice
Really, any juice high in Vitamin C will help, but pineapple juice will actually clear away the phlegm.

Sleep
Help your body recover faster by getting a good night sleep each night.

Avoid antihistamines and decongestants
If you will be performing soon, try to avoid using an antihistamine or decongestant since that not only dries out mucus but also your vocal chords... so much so that you may even loose your voice! I suggest looking into breathing in steam and/or using a neti pot if you want to relieve sinus pressure and congestion.

Ready to sing again?
Once you are ready to sing again, start slow - warm up with humming and take your time with simple exercises. Don’t push your range and know that it may take a few days to be back to your regular practice routine.

No comments:

Post a Comment