Are you paying attention to your vocal health? The summer season presents some unique challenges when it comes to caring for your voice. Learn a few summer tips for singers vocal health in this guest post by vocal teacher Elaina R…
Since the weather is finally starting to warm up, most people are eager to spend as much time outside as possible. However, singers should be aware of the dangers that come with summer weather. Here are six things that can harm your vocal health during the warmer months.
How Do You Keep Your Voice Healthy?
Keeping your voice healthy is important whether you use it professionally or not. Here are a few tips to help you keep your voice in top shape regardless of the time of year:
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to keep your vocal cords lubricated.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as they can lead to dehydration.
- Avoid refined sugars, as they can promote mucus production.
- Quit smoking, as the harmful chemicals in tobacco can damage your vocal cords.
- Practice proper breathing techniques to prevent strain on your vocal cords.
Following these simple tips will help you keep your voice healthy and sounding its best. When in doubt, it’s always a good idea to hire a singing coach who can walk you through everything you need to keep your voice operating in tip top shape. Here’s a video with even more benefits of taking singing lessons:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQyFZ6Lh-mc
Summer Vocal Health for Singers
Summer is in full-swing! The season of green grass, hot sun, pool parties, and BBQs is my favorite time of year. But as a singer, I also have to watch out for the special hazards that warmer weather brings.
While winter is definitely a singer’s roughest season (zero humidity and the flu are no fun), summer holds some unexpected dangers for your vocal cords. Check out my summer tips for singers below, and have a fantastic and vocally healthy summer!
1. Dehydration
Hotter weather often means sweat and more time outside, so you have to be extra careful to stay hydrated. Vocal cords are made out of the same soft, moist stuff as the inside of your cheek, and when they don’t get enough water, they become more brittle and susceptible to damage. So be sure to drink plenty of water, not just for your vocal cords, but for your whole body!
2. Allergies
Unfortunately, all of the living things that make summer so gorgeous — flowers, trees, grass — can also cause allergies. Allergy symptoms can include coughing, sneezing, congestion, and a bunch of other problems that inhibit breathing and irritate the throat.
One of these issues, post-nasal drip, is particularly damaging to singers because it involves mucus dripping from the sinuses onto the vocal cords, irritating and inflaming them. Many singers (myself included) use OTC medications, nasal sprays, and neti pots to deal with these problems.
3. Amusement Parks
Amusement parks can be lots of fun, but they also encourage lots of vocal abuse: loud talking, yelling, and, of course, SCREAMING on the roller coasters and other rides. Screaming involves slamming your vocal cords together rapidly, and as you might imagine, it isn’t good for you. If you’ve ever found yourself hoarse after visiting an amusement park, you know exactly what I mean.
Luckily, I have a sneaky trick that can completely eliminate vocal damage at amusement parks. When I ride roller coasters and other rides, I open my mouth — but I don’t actually make any noise. No one notices, I have just as much fun, and my voice feels great at the end of the day!
4. Smoke
I love BBQs and bonfires, but smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, and mucus buildup. Avoiding this one is easy — just sit downwind of bonfires, and be careful not to inhale too much smoke while BBQing. You can also volunteer to cut up the watermelon and leave the BBQ to someone else.
5. Concerts
Summer brings a wave of outdoor concerts and music festivals. While these events can be a blast, they often involve singing along (usually loudly and with bad technique) as well as yelling and screaming.
I bet you can guess my antidote for this one! Just like at amusement parks, I don’t actually make much noise at concerts. I mouth all the words and I look like I’m cheering along with everyone else, but I don’t actually use my voice. I have a great time AND my voice feels great the next day.
6. Air Conditioning
While summer air in many climates is nice and moist, air conditioning changes all that. Air conditioning removes moisture from the air, resulting in dry, wintery conditions. This can irritate the respiratory system and cause coughing just like winter air. Air conditioning and fans can also circulate dust, aggravating allergies.
To combat this, try not to crank up the air conditioning too much at home. If you spend a lot of time in a highly air-conditioned environment (like an office), you can protect yourself by staying hydrated and using cough drops or a personal humidifier if your throat feels dry.
7. Poor Diet
As a singer, you know that diet is important for maintaining vocal health all year round. But did you know that poor diet in the summer is a warm weather danger for your voice? The heat and humidity of summer can cause dehydration, which can lead to problems like inflammation and nodules. That’s why it’s important to eat foods that are high in water content and antioxidants, like fruits and vegetables.
Some of the best foods for vocal health in the summer are simply fruits and vegetables, in fact.
Citrus fruits, in particular, are great for summer vocal health because they help to keep the throat hydrated. So make sure to include plenty of oranges, lemons, and grapefruits in your diet this summer!
Why is Vocal Health So Important?
What is vocal health and why does it matter?
The voice is an important tool for communication, and vocal health is essential for maintaining a clear and strong voice. The vocal cords are a pair of thin membranes that vibrate to produce sound, and they can be easily damaged by overuse or strain. This can lead to hoarseness, discomfort, and even pain.
By taking care of your voice and using it properly, you can help to prevent these problems. For example, avoid shouting or talking loudly for extended periods of time. Drink plenty of water to keep your throat hydrated, and use humidifiers to maintain moisture in the air. Taking steps to protect your vocal cords will help you to communicate more effectively and maintain your vocal health.
How to Maintain Vocal Health
As a singer, your voice is your most important asset. That’s why it’s crucial to take care of your vocal health. Here are a few tips to help you keep your voice in top condition:
- Drink plenty of fluids. Water is essential for keeping your vocal cords hydrated and healthy. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol, as they can lead to dehydration.
- Get regular exercise. Exercise helps to increase your lung capacity, which is beneficial for singing. However, be careful not to overdo it – strenuous exercise can actually damage your vocal cords.
- Rest your voice. When you’re singing a lot, your vocal cords can become irritated and inflamed. To give them a chance to recover, take a break from singing every few days. If you’re feeling particularly fatigued, take a week or two off completely.
- See a vocal coach or speech therapist. A professional can help you identify and correct any bad habits that might be damaging your vocal cords. They can also teach you exercises and techniques to help improve your vocal health.
Vocal Health Tips You Can Follow Year Round
Caring for your voice is important no matter what profession you are in. Whether you use your voice for singing, public speaking, acting, or just for daily conversation, it is essential to take care of it.
By following these simple tips, you can help keep your voice healthy and sounding its best all year long.
The warm weather hazards we’ve listed can be dangerous for singers of all levels, but they are particularly harmful to beginners and amateurs. So, if you’re just starting out in your singing career or you haven’t had much experience performing outdoors in the heat, take heed! Be sure to consider these dangers before stepping out onto that outdoor stage this summer.
And remember, if you do find yourself struggling with one of these issues, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
By working these tips for singers into your day, you can enjoy summer to the fullest without harming your vocal cords. Your body and your voice teacher will both thank you.
There are plenty of resources available to you, and our team is always here to offer advice and support. Have a great summer – stay safe and sound!
Learn more about this topic:
- 7 Strange (But Effective) Ways to Keep Your Voice Healthy
- 4 Effective Vocal Warm-Ups to Try When You’re Sick
- The 2 Most Important Things Singers Always Forget to Do
Photo by Roger Blackwell
Post Author: Elaina R.Elaina R. teaches opera voice and singing in Ypsilanti, MI, as well as through online lessons. She received her Master of Music from the University of Michigan, and she has a B.M. from the University of Southern California. Learn more about Elaina here!
Suzy S.