The best advice I have for you is prevention. Your vocal hygiene regimen needs to begin before you get sick, not when you start to feel sick. One of the hardest illnesses for a voice to cope with is coughing. We need to do everything we can to ensure that we do not get ill, and if we do, that our immune systems are in top shape to recover quickly and suffer as few consequences as we can.
I have a weak bronchial system, I always have, chronic tonsillitis as a kid, earaches, and vocal issues in my professional career. Finally, after catching H1N1 in 2009 and trying to work through the aftereffects of a horrendous cough and exhaustion, while musically directing a project with Jason Robert Brown, I finally had had it. I took the advice of a friend and contacted his Homeopath, Donna Shallow, who is also a Nursing Practitioner for Toronto General Hospital.
Donna put me on a cocktail of supplements to support my immune system and read me the riot act, in her gentle way about nutrition, hydration, exercise and rest. We began rebuilding my ability to fight these common viruses that plagued me.
I also must remember to “speak well”. Avoid mumbling, vocal fry, keep my voice well-modulated and speak in my optimum speaking range. I take voice classes in order to keep my singing technique in shape. We all need to moderate the number of hours we use our voices…which can be a challenge. Make sure to hydrate, 8-12 glasses of water a day: Hydrate like a marathon runner. Limit alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Don’t smoke ANYTHING ! Rest, and maintain regular sleeping habits. Use good personal hygiene, especially these days! Stay physically active, get those steps in daily.
I do find a humidifier helpful to keep the air moist in the winter, and I have a vocal steamer that I use when I do get ill or feel vocally tired. I have used contrast bathing on my throat in times of vocal fatigue, as well I have a little massager that I use on my throat to keep things flexible and ease out tension. I stretch out my neck and upper back/shoulders daily and check my posture, correcting my “text” neck.
I don’t have magic potions or teas. I have things I take for comfort, peppermint oil, slippery elm tea, Chinese throat remedies, but the best advice I have, is take care of yourself body, mind and soul.
Louisa
Recent Comments