Your voice works hard, especially during the cold winter months. Just like any other instrument, your voice requires diligent care and maintenance to perform at its best, so make sure to give your voice all the care and attention it deserves. Here are my top tips to show your voice a little love!
Vocal Self-Care
First, it's crucial to understand your voice's starting point. Just as your body benefits from a yearly physical, your voice can be tested and checked by a doctor, too. Consider scheduling a visit to a laryngologist for a vocal physical. Establishing this baseline will prove invaluable—especially during travel or illness—because it will provide a reference point from which to gauge any changes to your voice's health and performance over time.
Some other self-love tips:
Get enough sleep
Avoid throat clearing
Drink tea to soothe the throat (I love Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat® tea).
If you’re sick, rest, hydrate, and consider using throat lozenges or gargling saltwater to soothe your throat. I love Vocalzone’s Throat Pastilles and the NeilMed Sinus Rinse for this purpose.
Staying Hydrated
What better way to show some care for your vocal cords and throat than keeping yourself hydrated? It’s important to drink plenty of water to maintain optimal hydration for your vocal cords. Opt for room temperature or warm water and consider adding honey or lemon for soothing effects.
It’s also key to keep the air around you moist, especially when it’s cold and dry outside. One of my favorite products for this is the VocalMist Nebulizer. It’s the only product that can help hydrate directly on the vocal cords, and it comes with saline that is made for inhalation.
Voice Massage
We all know how relaxing it is to get a massage. It’s the peak of self-care! But what about a voice massage?
If you are experiencing a loss of range, muscle tension, fatigue, raspiness, or hoarseness, you might want to try vocal tract reconditioning (VTR). VTR is more than just voice massage—it’s a service that looks at the body as a whole and helps eliminate any muscle tensions and imbalances that are affecting the voice.
It is important to find a voice massage therapist that has a background and education in the vocal tract area since it is one of your most sensitive and protected areas.
Interested? Go to the contact form at the bottom of this page to schedule a voice massage with me. Your voice will thank you!
Seeking Professional Guidance
One of the best things you can do to take care of yourself and your voice is to get a vocal coach.
It’s a vocal coach’s role to curate a precise plan for each individual’s voice. Whether you want to work on singing techniques, healthy speaking voice practices, rehabilitation, voice changes, or touring, a vocal coach will be there to help you achieve your goals.
As a performer and coach myself, I know how important it is to find a balance in your voice and physical body so you can go out and accomplish whatever you need to do. In my sessions, I focus on repertoire, style, and vocal balance so my clients can sing from low to high without cracking, tension, flipping, or breathiness. It’s about getting you to the next step.
Fill out the contact form below if you want to connect with me!
By implementing these self-care tips into your routine, you can safeguard your vocal health and unleash the full potential of your voice. Remember, consistency is key so prioritize your vocal well-being every day. Peace!