5 tips to keeping your voice healthy during the chilly months

Winter is coming! In order to prepare our body to confront the chilly months comes a tendency to stock our medicine cabinet with Vitamin C. But what about the voice? Taking care of the voice is as essential as taking care of the body. Doing so can help us become better singers and improve overall health. Here are five tips to help you keep a healthy voice, winter spring supper or fall.

1. Talk with your inside voice

We often heard it from mother "use your inside voice" and as the saying goes, mother knows best! Paying attention to the volume of your voice can help you protect and even reinforce it. Be conscious of your levels and readjust when you catch yourself shouting, yelling and screaming. Consider as well the noisiness of certain surroundings (clubs, concerts, restaurants) that force us to raise our voice and in such instances don't hesitate to lower your voice, use a mic or even mimic if needs be.

2. Remember, your body is a temple

Taking care of your body does your voice a service. Cover your neck and chest in chilly weather, drink plenty of water and eat properly. Stay away from spicy foods and opt instead for fruits and veggies high in water and vitamin A as they support overall throat health. And it goes without mentioning, smoking is to be avoided at all costs.

3. Rest

Getting quality sleep is essential for singers, but vocal rest is equally important. Alter your singing schedule with days off in between strenuous practice sessions. More difficult, but well worth it, try not talking! It may be easier said than done, but your voice will thank you for it.

4. Practice jaw and vocal exercises

A Daily exercise routine help your voice stay fit as a fiddle. Greet the day with some quick humming and tongue exercises. Throughout the day try some breathing techniques that exercise the chords. Here are some examples.

5. Pay attention to posture

Correct posture makes it easier to produce sound. Standing up straight, chin up, abs firm and feet apart allows air to pass freely through the body and allows you to hold notes for longer periods of time and will contribute to strengthening your voice.

Published on: November 7, 2017