Vocal Health: How to Maintain a Healthy Singing and Speaking Voice!
By
Brookdale Music JoEllyn Caulfield
Brookdale Music Store and Education Center is located at 1550 N. Route 59, Naperville IL 60563
We are a full service, locally owned store serving the Chicago suburbs since 1993.
WE HAVE THE LARGEST SELECTION OF PRINT MUSIC IN THE AREA!!
Vocal Health: How to Maintain a Healthy Singing and Speaking Voice!
Daily Maintenance Routine:
1.
Stay hydrated!
Drink plenty of water. This flushes toxins and maintains muscle health. Beverages with caffeine (including but not limited to coffee, some teas, and soda) are okay in moderation, but should not be consumed at every meal.
2.
Do not eat 3 hours before bedtime!
Eating before lying down for the night can cause extra stomach acid to enter the windpipe, possibly creeping up to the vocal cords. This condition, also called GERD (Gastrointestinal Reflux Disorder) causes a burning sensation in the throat and heartburn. If untreated, it could lead to cancer.
3.
Wash your hands!
Since illness can stay on inanimate objects that people touch for days at a time, it is important to keep your hands clean. Wash or sanitize your hands before you eat or touch your mouth.
4.
Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf during winter!
This keeps the air moist when it enters your trachea. It is very important to breathe in through your nose, because the nose filters and warms the air you breathe in. The vocal cords and lungs can be damaged when a person inhales extremely cold air directly through the mouth.
5.
Sleep!
As a singer, it is important to know your limit. It is very important to get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. The body recharges itself, and heals itself during sleep.
6.
Allow for some personal time!
The busier a person is, the easier it is for the body to get run-down, letting illness take over. Do something that doesn’t require talking or singing, like reading, watching TV, or listening to music.
7.
Attend voice lessons regularly and keep a consistent practice schedule!
An educated and qualified teacher helps to reinforce good singing technique. Practicing daily will help a student progress to more advanced techniques and songs.
If you are becoming sick or are sick, please continue the daily maintenance routine during your illness in addition to the following suggestions:
1.
See a doctor immediately if you have a painful or scratchy throat, swollen tonsils, sinus or ear pain, hoarseness, or loss of voice!
These could be symptoms of illnesses that need to be treated with medication. Singing or speaking with any type of throat illness can possibly harm your vocal cords.
2.
Vocal Rest!
This means no whispering, talking, or singing. Please remember that your vocal cords are muscles. When your body is fatigued, your vocalis muscles also experience it too. If you have any inkling of pain or hoarseness, it is imperative to give your muscles a break. The vibrations of the vocal cords can sometimes irritate the tissue and can extend the vocal illness. In extreme cases, if the patient does not rest, the speaker/singer may develop nodules on the vocal cords (which could require surgery) or vocal cord bowing. Both of these instances require vocal therapy.
3.
Stay hydrated!
Your body needs water to flush the illness from the body. Water and decaffeinated tea are very useful. Throat Coat brand tea has soothing herbal ingredients which feel great on a sick throat! Read the package to make sure you do not have allergies to any of the herbal supplements.
4.
Use a cool-mist humidifier!
Keeping moisture in the vocal cords will help them heal if the throat is dry and scratchy. Heated humidifiers are notorious for breeding bacteria, so choosing a cool-mist humidifier is a better option.
5.
Steam!
Take a hot shower and breathe in the steam vapors. This will temporarily reduce swelling on your vocal cords.
6.
Suck on throat drops!
In order to keep the throat hydrated, the most natural and least drying throat drop I have found are Halls Fruit Breezers. These are made entirely of fruit pectin, and have some great flavors. If you are a singer, be careful of anything containing Menthol, as it tends to have a drying effect.
7.
Clean and disinfect!
Make sure that you antibacterialize the hard surfaces in your home and workplace. Germs can stay alive for days on these surfaces. Don't forget to wipe down door handles, telephones, computer keyboards, tables, light switches, faucet handles, etc. Be sure to wear protective gloves and make sure to ventilate the area being cleaned so you do not breathe in the chemicals.
* Please consult a doctor before taking any over-the-counter medication or herbal supplement.
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