'Tis The Season To Take Care Of Your Voice

The holidays are a time of celebration and cheer, filled with laughter and joy and goodwill to all.  Of course, no season of celebration is complete without an endless array of parties with tasty delights of food and an ample selection of beverages to toast friends and family.  One cannot help but partake of at least of few of these moments amid the chaotic scramble of balancing workload to meet deadlines and auditioning for future work.

This is also a fantastic time of the year to trash your voice!   I know ... I sound like the Grinch, but unlike the Grinch, I do have heart and I want you to succeed.  As a voiceover talent, teacher, coach or public speaker, you need to be aware of how to care for your voice and still partake in the celebrations of the season and throughout the year.

Here are some tips to help keep your voice in tip top shape:

1. Drink lots of water to keep hydrated and to keep your vocal chords moist as winter weather tends to be very dry.

2. Enjoying sugary sweets, greasy appetizers, dairy and caffeine is fine in moderation, but keep in mind what they do to your voice. Whenever possible, balance your plate with fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates.

3. Having a few alcoholic beverages at a party may also be fine; however, resist the urge to overindulge, especially if you will be recording in the morning, as alcohol will dry out your vocal chords and the sugar in it will produce excess mucus.  

4. Carbonated beverages also have a drying effect.  Drinking extra water when consuming alcohol or any carbonated beverages will help keep you hydrated, and adding fresh lemon will help to cut mucus.

5. Cover your neck with a scarf when you go outside and, when it's super cold, try to breathe through your nose instead of your mouth.  It may sound crazy but it helps to protect your voice.

6. Remember this is cold and flu season too.  People come from far and near to meet family and friends for the holidays, and each brings a different set of germs, so remember to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.

7. Finally, social gatherings tend to be loud making it very easy to strain your voice to be heard in conversations.  The only way to repair excess strain is to get plenty of sleep and rest your voice.

Wishing you all the best this holiday season ... Cheers!