Guess What!? Staying healthy is good for your voice! Now you know that talking is both a mental and a physical activity. If you’re unwell or tired, all physical and mental activities are more difficult to start and finish. You need energy to think about and organize what you’re going to say; you need energy to make the equipment work well; and you need energy to monitor and correct your message. So here’s your first rule-set for keeping a healthy voice:
- Make sure you get adequate rest and sleep every day, including several periods of rest for your voice.
- Exercise your whole body regularly, enough to keep energy flowing and keep your mind sharp, but not so much that you’re too tired to think and talk.
- Don’t use your voice extensively when you’re over-tired or sick.
- Eat healthy foods that agree with you and don’t overeat.
- Drink plenty of water and other healthy non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic fluids. 8-10 servings per day (for most adults) will ensure the fluid gets beyond your body’s plumbing system into more remote regions like your skin and voice-box.
- Stay away from foods and fluids that dehydrate you, give you heartburn or gas, make your throat feel tight or “gummy” or make you cough and clear your throat…