CARING FOR YOUR VOICE--Part 1: An Ounce of Prevention--Dos and Don'ts

When people think of their voice, they tend to think only of the mechanism contained in their throats, but that mechanism isn't isolated from the rest of the body at all. In fact, the best means of maintaining optimal vocal functioning is simply to maintain good overall health. The Dos & Don'ts I've listed for you below should help you stay generally healthy and free from vocal problems much of the time.

DON'T smoke. 

DO drink at least eight 8-oz glasses of water (or other caffeine-free, very low-calorie beverage) daily. 

DON'T spend a lot of time in noisy environments where you must shout to be heard. Unless you have training to project your voice in a healthful manner, shouting, yelling and even just loud talking can be very hard on your voice. (If you've ever lost your voice from cheering at a concert or sporting event, you know what I mean.)

DO make it a priority to get at least 8 hours of sleep most nights.

DON'T spend any length of time in crowded places during the peak of cold and flu seasons if you can avoid it, and if you must, keep sanitizing wipes and gels handy and use them.

DO wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.

DON'T ignore allergies or acid reflux! See a doctor to find a treatment plan that works for you and stick to it. 

DO eat a diet of primarily high-quality unprocessed foods. What does that mean? Basically, the closer a food is to how it was right when it came out of the ground, off the tree, or from the animal, the better it is for you. 

DON'T overdo it when it comes to caffeine and alcohol: they're dehydrating which is very bad for the vocal folds (cords). If you can't give up your beloved coffee/beer/wine, DO make it a rule to drink at least one extra glass of water for every cup/glass of vice ;-)

DO try massage therapy, chiropractic treatment, Alexander Technique, yoga or other gentle stretching to relax and energize your body, improve your posture, and deepen your awareness of your breathing (Next to hydration, this is the one thing that can really improve your vocal stamina!)

So there you have it, my best advice for preventing respiratory illnesses and other vocal problems that cause anxiety for people who make their living with their voice. If you have any tips you'd like to add, I absolutely welcome them. 

Coming Soon: CARING FOR YOUR VOICE--Part II: What to do When You Get Sick

CARING FOR YOUR VOICE--Intro

Frequently on voiceover forums, Facebook groups and such, I see questions about what to do if you have a cold and how to prevent vocal fatigue. Believe me, these subjects are even more of an obsession for opera singers! To help my fellow voiceover artists, I've decided to share with you the best advice I collected during my years as a singer. 
I'll start by saying this one thing: RELAX! Don't take your voice so seriously. In today's market, voiceover is more about having a unique point-of-view and genuine acting skills than it is about having a "golden voice" anyway. Your pipes don't have to be in absolutely perfect condition for you to give an outstanding voiceover performance. That said, the better your vocal health, the more flexible your instrument. That's why I decided to write this series of posts on Caring for Your Voice.
Stay tuned for Part 1: An Ounce of Prevention--Dos and Don'ts