Have you had a lovely weekend? I have enjoyed spending time with my little family.
As the bank holiday weekend draws to a close, you may have been burning the candle at both ends at a festival, enjoying a drink or two in the sun or if you're a teacher, you may be focusing on the new term ahead!
One thing you probably haven't considered is how you are looking after your voice but sometimes having a good time or using your voice professionally can have a major impact. It's also useful to be aware of this as the dreaded cough and cold season is just around the corner...
So here are a few simple tips, I often share in my practice, to keep those chords well:
1. 💧Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Aim to drink at least 1.5 to 2L of water a day. It keeps your vocal chords nicely lubricated. 2. Cut down on the alcohol and caffeine. These can dry your chords and larynx out. ❌🍷☕️🍸❌ 3. Don’t smoke and avoid second hand smoke.❌🚬❌ 4. 😴 Get proper rest and catch up on some zzz. Fatigue can have an impact on your voice. 5. 🗣 Avoid overusing your voice, particularly if it is already hoarse or you are ill. Don’t use the extremes of your voice such as screaming or whispering. Avoid noisy places and talking over noise. 6. 🏃♀️ 🏋️♂️🏊♀️ Exercise regularly. This can improve your posture, breathing and muscle tone to increase the stamina of your voice. 7. Avoid foods which aggravate heartburn or reflux such as spicy foods. Acid reflux can significantly affect your vocal chords. ❌🍛
Remember, if you voice sounds different for more than 2 weeks, make sure you go to see your GP.
Happy talking! 😊💙
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