Last week I suffered from some evil bug that attacked my throat rendering me almost voiceless. What voice I had sounded ridiculous.

People’s response to my deep croak was interesting. Everyone commented. Either they were concerned, bemused or amused.  I even detected slight irritation.

Such is the power and influence of the sound of our voice.

Fortunately I had no professional voice engagements. As an actor, voice artist, coach and professional speaker I have always talked for a living so I needed no reminding that we take our voice for granted. It’s there when we wake, we use it all day to function and when we go to sleep at night we never dream that we may not have a voice when we wake.

So here are a few ‘Reminders to Self’  ways of how to take more care of my voice.

1.      Jaws, shoulders and throats

The vocal folds in our throat can easily be strained by tension in the surrounding muscles, so…

• Check the tension in your jaw, it should feel relaxed. If you know you have a tight jaw try consciously gawping and feel the difference. Or try pressing your tongue hard against your top palate behind your teeth, press and hold for 6 then  relax.  Feel the difference.
• Be aware of your posture, keep shoulders loose and upper body as upright as is comfortable
• At the computer screen avoid thrusting back your head, it puts a strain on your voice box. I sometimes do this to peer through my varifocal specs.  I must desist.
• If you are  a broadcaster, a common habit is to have the mic hanging high above you and to look up towards it – this means your head is thrust back and your throat strained. This could damage your voice.

2.       Professional voices and environments

• Excessive shouting will wreck your voice so find ways not to. Use a radio mic when you can. If you work in a bar or club and need to compete with clatter and music learn to clearly mouth what you are saying with no voice, or use more visual signing and pointing.
• If your professional voice requirements are challenging you should get some special coaching on how to use your voice safely.  It could extend your career!
• Whatever air you breathe in, will affect your voice. So dusty or dry atmospheres are bad news. Use humidifiers to moisten the air, masks to reduce dust inhalation and encourage employers to clean the air.  Keep drinking water.
• Check you breathe in through your nose – your natural filter and humidifier.

3.      Eating and Drinking (this bit might depress you)

• What we eat and drink can really affect our voice. Acids rise up from the stomach during the day and at night.
• Too much thick mucus (or phlegm) is the speaking voice’s enemy. The need to constantly clear our throat is both irritating and also hurts the vocal folds. Foods and drinks that encourage mucus include… milk, cheese, butter, pastry, fizzy drinks, citrus drinks, chocolate, wine, coffee and tea… We need to limit these and monitor how they affect us.
• Leave a good two hours after eating/drinking before going to bed and lying down, this is when the dreaded acid reflux happens. More specialist detail about acid reflux here
• Your voice will thrive on a healthy diet rich in Vitamin C, fruit, veg and fewer starchy, sugary foods.
• Your voice loves water. Drink at least three-four pints a day if you talk a lot.

4.      Coping with coughs, colds and sore throats

• Lots of TLC, sleep and rest. Talk as little as possible. Text rather than phone.
• Increase water intake.
• A facial steam every day works wonders.
• Avoid very hot and very cold drinks.
• Reduce coffee, tea, fizzy/sugary and alcoholic drinks, (de-hydrates and increases acid). Replace with fruit and herb teas, infusions or water.
• Gargle with warm, salty water.
• Honey soothes your throat like nothing else.
• Ask advice from a pharmacist for suggested medicines to match any others you may be taking. For instance, some common ingredients can reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure tablets.
• Try Sandersons Throat Specific as a gargle. Luvvies and singers swear by it.
• Breathe in through your nose if you can – in cold weather cover your mouth with a scarf.
• If you have no cold but a severe sore throat that lasts a few days it might need a doctor’s attention.
• And drink more water.

My reminders are in no way definitive. You might find some more useful tips here

How to get rid of a sore throat quickly 

How to recover your voice when you’ve lost it

Why you lose your voice with Laryngitis a

Thanks to the Flikr photo of the yawning hippo by William Warby

If you are interested in developing your voice for personal or professional reasons I’d be happy to speak with you.  Give me a call on +44(0)1332 727305 or email me at contact us. You might want to browse Our Services to give you an idea of our coaching.