Vocal Health During Changing Seasons
Your voice is an instrument, much like a guitar or violin; you need to protect your instrument during changes of season. Unlike a guitar, however, your voice is at the mercy of allergens and air quality. So what do you do when those April showers lead to May flowers… and also sneezing and scratchy throats?
Maintain good vocal habits throughout the year
Caring for a guitar during seasonal changes means maintaining a relatively consistent temperature and humidity to protect your instrument, regardless of what the weather outside looks like. The same goes for your voice!
Spring temperatures can vary wildly. Keep your instrument warm on cold days with a scarf or turtleneck and warm, non-drying beverages. If your heat is running, make sure you’re changing your filters and using a humidifier to maintain your indoor air quality. If you’re out and about, wearing a face mask has the added benefit of keeping the air you inhale warm while protecting yourself and others from infection. All those tips and tricks you might know to keep your voice healthy during the winter still apply in the spring, especially when the weather is still frosty!
Regardless of the weather, staying hydrated and eating healthy, nourishing foods are crucial for a vocalist. We won’t wax poetic about it here, but we spoke about voice-supporting foods in our article on throat clearing and our article on the singing superfood, watermelon.
A good warmup or practice routine is a must any time of year. Don’t let the warmer weather lull you into complacency; daily practice is important (and easier to do than you might think) and pre-performance warmups are a must regardless of how lovely the day might be.
Treat your allergies if you have them
If you think you have allergies, your first step should always be talking to your doctor. They can guide you towards treatments that will be most effective for your individual needs and make sure you’re using any medication correctly while avoiding drug interactions.
The next step is learning to listen to both your body and the environment around you - and how your body and environment interact. For example: if you know your allergies start to act up once a certain tree starts blooming, pay attention to when that tree is starting to develop buds and make sure you’re starting your allergy regimen before you’re experiencing symptoms. We know from personal experience that it often takes a few days to weeks of regular use to feel the benefits of over-the-counter allergy medicine; if you wait to start taking daily Claritin until your in the midst of a sneezing fit, you’ll be waiting a few more days to get relief.
Whether you’re using over-the-counter allergy treatments or holistic treatments like local honey or herbal treatments, make sure you’re aware of potential side-effects - and listen to your body in case you’re experiencing any of them. If you find yourself treating symptoms with decongestants or nasal sprays, watch out for throat irritation or drying. Spray decongestants like Afrin are not recommended for regular use; in fact, extended use can make congestion worse over time, irritate your throat, and even cause you to lose your sense of smell. All that to say, read labels carefully and talk to your doctor if you’re concerned about side-effects or need help finding the right treatment.
Sometimes rest is the best medicine
As much as we’d like to believe that perfect vocal maintenance and a magic allergy pill can keep us at peak performance all year round, sometimes we just need a break. If you’re having a lot of allergy symptoms or are just plain sick, sometimes you simply need to rest. Singing while your throat is raw or you’re struggling to breath is only going to extend the amount of time it takes you to recover.
The good (and bad) news about the current state of the world, is that you’ve probably got time to rest your voice. Stages are closed, performances have shifted online, and - even if your day job is still busy - you likely have fewer can’t-miss performances right now. Take advantage of that time to slow down if you need it. Trust us, time spent resting now could mean more time singing in the future.
Putting it all together
The long and short of getting through the change of seasons is good self-care, both in the form of regular habits and listening to your body when it needs extra care. It’s easy to lose track of routines during these odd times, but developing and maintaining good habits can be as good for your mental health as it is for your vocal health. And don’t forget the root of all good vocal health: love your voice!
Schedule a Lesson and Learn to Love Your Voice All Year Round
The best way to develop a good vocal care routine is to work with a coach. Contact us to set up an in-person or virtual lesson with Zelda and learn how to love your voice, whatever the season.
Mention this article for a 20% discount on your first lesson.