Vocal Health for Singers
You always want to sing your best and that is why vocal health is so important. Many things can affect the quality of your singing voice. Therefore, it is wise to learn how to recognize potential problems so you can keep them at bay when it is time for a big performance. These are some everyday factors that can have an effect upon your vocal health:
Alcohol and your voice
Alcohol causes the blood vessels in your body to dilate and that is not good for your vocal cords when you will be singing. When the blood vessels dilate, the blood thins and comes to the surface, which makes you more susceptible to a hemorrhage on your vocal cords. Do not drink alcohol on days when you will be singing, either performing or practicing, and on the days when you do drink alcoholic beverages, drink lots of water to counteract alcohol’s dehydrating effects.
Cigarette smoke affects your voice
Cigarette smoke causes the tissue in your throat to become irritated and inflamed and this makes it more difficult for you to sing well. Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke as best you can. You should at least avoid smoke for several days prior to a singing lesson or performance.
Throat clearing
If you are constantly clearing your throat, you should find out the reason behind it so you can break the habit. Excessive throat clearing can be caused by mucus buildup from postnasal drip or acid reflux. See if you can get in the habit of swallowing instead of clearing your throat and go see your doctor to determine the reason behind the mucus build up. For many singers, throat clearing is just an unconscious habit that results from trying to clear the vocal cords for singing. A little mucus on your vocal cords should not be too much of an interference with your voice.
Vocal health and the foods you eat
Some types of foods will irritate your voice Dairy foods in particular are noted for causing mucus to buildup and that makes you clear your throat more often. Some singers are affected by spicy foods. You’ll have to discover which foods bother you so you can avoid them for a few days prior to a big performance.
How allergens affect vocal health
Allergies to pollen and dust will cause your throat and vocal folds to become irritated and inflamed. You doctor might be able to help you deal with your allergy problems. There are a few things you can do at home to limit your exposure to allergens. Maintain a clean home so dust doesn’t have the chance to settle and cause your problems and select allergy-free bedding to sleep on at night. Pay attention to your local news and weather for pollen count updates. Usually, pollen counts are the highest in the early evening or early morning hours. If you need to spend time outdoors, doing so in the middle of the day is a good idea so you encounter less pollen.
How medicines can affect your voice
Many of the medications that you take to treat a runny nose or watery eyes will dry out your throat too. If you need to take the medications, compensate by drinking more water so you don’t get dry when you sing. If it is possible, you might want to avoid taking any medications before your singing engagement.
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