Singers: Keep Your Voice Healthy
It is crucial and necessary for a talent vocal performer to make the health of the vocal cords a priority. A singer should also care for their bodily health with good diet and exercise. And the protection of the voice means caring for the vocal cords and employing proper breathing techniques while singing and speaking.
Those who have a beautiful voice and are learning to sing will no doubt know that there are a few illnesses that can have a huge impact on the voice so precautions will always have to be taken. Don’t forget there may also be many preventable factors that can affect as to how you sing. Your voice will have a better quality and you will be able to sing longer once you have developed some healthy voice habits.
As a singer or performer keep in mind that in order to keep your voice well, you need to take some initiative. One of the best things you can do is drink 48 to 64 ounces of water a day, especially if you exercise. It is also advisable to drink this much water to keep your voice healthy and strong.
If you tend to drink caffeine in coffee, alcohol, or any caffeine-type beverage, you will discover that you will tend to become dehydrated. Drinking too much caffeine will eliminate water from the body, which is not good. For optimum health, drink at least 48 ounces of water daily to keep your voice in great form.
It is obvious that water is essential to maintain healthy vocal chords, but also learning to breathe correctly is equally important for a healthy voice. Those of you who first start learning how to sing will also be taught how to breathe. Most singers will be taught it is essential to breathe from the diaphragm, this is taught to protect the voice.
There are two drinks already mentioned to avoid, but there are certain foods that can be eaten and loved by many; unfortunately for those of you with the singing voice, it may be best to avoid. Spicy foods are enjoyed by many of you but eating this can result in stomach acid, which can travel back up to your throat causing problems for the voice. Also try to avoid smoking or smoky areas this again can affect the throat causing irritation.
You know enough now to stay away smoke, caffeine, and spicy foods—but also refrain from using a regular mouthwash because it includes alcohol and harsh chemicals which can hurt your throat and make it feel sore. Instead, find a mouth wash that is gentle and contains saltwater, with no alcohol. Keep your body and mind relaxed with some time-out since if you are tired with low energy it will reflect in how you sing.
Make doubly sure you sleep at least six to seven hours so you feel rested and alert. Some people may need a little less or a little more sleep, but they all need to exercise and eat nutritious foods for good health of the body and the voice. When you blend in good breathing methods when you practice and good health habits your voice will be at its best possible place.
