How to Look After Your Voice This Christmas

December is the busiest month of the year for voices. School concerts, carol services, office parties, panto, and shouting over music in a crowded pub, often all while fighting off a cold. Every year I see singers arrive in January hoarse and frustrated. Here's how to avoid being one of them.

Drink more water than you think you need

Your vocal folds work best when they're well hydrated, and that takes time. Water you drink today helps your voice tomorrow. Central heating dries the air out, so keep a bottle with you and sip through the day. If you're drinking alcohol at parties, alternate with water, because alcohol dries you out.

Don't shout over the music

Talking loudly in a noisy room for three hours can tire your voice more than a full concert. Step outside for conversations, stand closer to the person you're talking to, and give yourself breaks.

Don't whisper either

It sounds gentle, but whispering often strains the voice more than speaking quietly. If your voice is tired, speak softly and briefly, or rest.

Steam is your friend

Breathing in steam from a bowl of hot water (or a long shower) for ten minutes soothes tired vocal folds. It's one of the simplest things you can do the night before a performance.

Warm up, even for carols

Five minutes of gentle humming, lip trills and sirens before a carol service or school concert makes a real difference. You wouldn't run a race without stretching.

If you have a cold

You can usually sing gently through a head cold, but be kind to yourself: drop difficult songs down a key, avoid belting, and stop if it hurts. If you've lost your voice or it's painful, rest it. If hoarseness lasts more than three weeks, see your GP.

Plan your rest

If you have a big performance coming up, keep the day before quiet. Fewer parties, more sleep. Your voice recovers when you're resting.

If you'd like help building a healthy, reliable voice for next year's performances, I teach singing lessons in Milton Keynes for all levels. Get in touch here.