Tips to Prevent Voice Strain
Our voices are constantly in use, from the moment we get up in the morning until we go to bed at night, we communicate through our voice. That is why it is so important to protect it from getting strained. Certain professions are more prone to voice strain than others, such as singers, teachers and actors. Fortunately, there are techniques which can help to prevent vocal damage.
Norman Hogikyan, Professor of Otolaryngology from the University of Michigan Health System says. “Your voice is your ambassador to the outside world. It portrays your personality and emotions. People make assessments about you based on your voice, so it is very important when you’re speaking or singing to think about what people are really hearing. Problems with your voice also can have a tremendous impact on your life.”
Drink plenty of water and herbal teas, and eat fruit and vegetables to keep you hydrated. This will help to lubricate your throat and prevent it from getting dry and hoarse. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
It is advisable to rest your voice during the day when you can. Singers and teachers should practice listening rather than talking excessively during break times.
Avoid Smoking, even passive smoking can irritate the vocal chords.
Don’t raise your voice unless you have to. When you sound hoarse, this is your throats way of telling you it is under strain.
Keep your throat and neck muscles relaxed even when singing high notes and low notes. Some singers tilt their heads up when singing high notes, and down when singing low notes. “The high notes are on the ceiling and the low notes are on the floor,” Rosenberg says. “Over time, you’ll pay for that”—not just with strained vocal muscles but also by causing future limits on the vocal range.
Pay attention of your breath flow when you speak. Professional singers often forget to use their healthy voice techniques when they speak, and this is just as important as when they sing.
Try not to clear your throat too much. Constant throat clearing is like violently pressing your vocal cords together. Sip water instead to hydrate your throat.
Use a microphone when you are performing public speaking.
Do lip or tongue trills in the morning to help your airflow and breath.
Hum to warm up your voice in the morning.
Vocal scales are beneficial to enhance your voice.
Perform a cool-down of the voice with these techniques at the end of the day.
Avoid speaking unless you have to when you have a cold or sore throat. Consult a doctor if you have a lot of phlegm. It could be because of too much mucus from allergies, a sinus condition or acid reflux problems. Consuming excessive dairy products can be a contributing factor of phlegm.
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