Top tips for looking after your vocal health

Taking care of your vocal health is so important, especially if you use your voice frequently or professionally like voiceovers do. It is all too easy to underestimate how important it is to maintain good vocal health every single day. Only once you lose your voice or you feel irritation in your throat do you realise just how much you rely on your vocal clarity to do your job. So here are some tips that I always come back to as a reference for looking after my vocal health.

Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your vocal cords moist and lubricated. If you are using your voice that day then ensure you’ve drank plenty of water two hours before performing and keep taking small tips until you go live. Over-hydration is an issue too and can cause mouth clicks but more on that another day.

Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

Smoking can irritate your vocal cords and increase your risk of developing vocal problems. Alcohol can dehydrate your body and also irritate your vocal cords.

Practise good breathing techniques

Use diaphragmatic breathing to support your voice and reduce strain on your vocal cords. Breathing exercises can also help you relax and therefore reduce strain whilst you perform.

Warm up your voice

Before singing or speaking for an extended period of time, warm up your voice with vocal exercises or gentle humming. A warm up anywhere between 10 and 20 minutes should be enough. If you feel vocally tired then a shorter but more varied warm up is the way to go.

Rest your voice

If you feel your voice is getting tired or strained, take a break or try vocal rest. Vocal rest is recommended before performing if you feel any strain and includes avoiding phone calls, speaking, singing and whispering loudly. If vocal strain or pain persists then anyone who uses their voice regularly in their professional life should seek medical advice.

Avoid throat clearing and coughing

Instead of clearing your throat or coughing, try sucking on a lozenge or swallowing to alleviate any irritation or a tickling sensation. If you need to cough or clear your throat so it is as gentle as possible.

Try steam inhalation

Using a steamer is perhaps the most effective way to keep your vocal cords hydrated as the water goes directly to your vocal folds. This is a saviour for performers who want to reduce strain, increase hydration and improve clarity before performing. You can use a shop bought steamer or fill a saucepan with boiling water and inhale the steam with a tea towel over your head for 10 minutes. Failing that having a hot steamy shower or going to a steam room would work too.

Wear a scarf

In winter or in cold climates with a breeze, cover your neck with a warm scarf and always wrap up warm. If your voice is particularly sensitive then you might find the cold (or for that matter extreme warmth) can make you feel hoarse very quickly.

Seek medical attention if necessary

If you experience persistent hoarseness, sore throat or other vocal problems, see a healthcare professional for evaluation.

By following these tips I have managed to keep my voice healthy and prevent vocal problems from developing. Some of them are incredibly simple and might even seem too obvious but I promise you they work.

I hope this helps!