Best Practices for Singing with Seasonal Allergies
Is it a cold? Nope. Is it COVID? Not this time! It’s just your allergies letting you know that they’ve officially arrived! 🤧
Allergy symptoms can quickly mess with the quality of your voice, making it harder to sing like yourself. But don’t worry – there’s ways to fix that!
Your voice is your signature, and keeping it sounding like YOU is crucial. I’m here to help by sharing some of my favorite go-to tips for dealing with allergy symptoms.
Quick Disclaimer: This isn’t medical advice, but suggestions based on my personal experience as a professional vocal coach with 15 years in the business.
What Makes for a Healthy Voice?
A healthy voice should produce a clear, even tone that resonates easily across your vocal range. Healthy Voices are: hydrated, free of vocal strain, clear, and flexible.
Signs Your Voice Might Not Be at Its HEALTHIEST:
Difficulty with certain parts of your range
Cracks or breaks when speaking or singing
Voice sounds lower or raspier than usual
A stuffy or muted sound
What Can Contribute to an UNhealthy Voice?
Dehydration
Loud environments
Overuse or strain
Coughing from colds or allergies
Acid reflux (especially after late-night meals following gigs!)
The Goal: Minimizing Allergy Symptoms
Our main focus is to reduce dryness and inflammation so that your voice stays as close to its natural sound as possible. Dryness and inflammation can come from a mix of histamine reactions (inflammation), dehydration, overuse, medication, and muscle tension.
10 Tips for Tackling Allergies and Protecting Your Voice:
Stay Hydrated!
Keep a water bottle with you. One of my favorites is this Black Camelback with a leak-proof seal and magnetic lid.
This electrolyte supplement hydrates faster and more efficiently.
Use a Car Humidifier
Perfect for long drives between gigs, a car humidifier keeps your voice hydrated – especially during winter when the heat is on!
Steam Your Voice
I love using my Conair steamer to relax facial muscles and moisturize my throat.
Saline Nebulizer
The VocalMist is a portable, rechargeable tool that helps combat dryness and loosen mucus. The saline mist helps hydrate your folds from the outside-in. This is not a medicated product, so you can use it time and time again without worries. VocalMist is portable, rechargeable, and a MUST HAVE for any professional voice user.
Educate if you Medicate
Some medications (like antihistamines) can dry out your voice. Check this list to see if your meds affect your voice, and drink extra water if needed.
Wash Those Hands
Regular hand-washing helps avoid cold and flu symptoms, and also reduces the chances of transferring allergens to your face or eyes.
Get Better Sleep
Try the Sleep Cycle Smart Alarm Clock app, which monitors your sleep and wakes you up at the right time, so you feel more refreshed!
Self-Massage
A laryngeal massage (by yourself or a professional) can relieve stress and muscular tension. Stress and muscular tension can exacerbate allergy symptoms and prevent you from accessing the full quality of your voice.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage — this type of massage is useful for when you have a build up of congestion, and/or fullness in your lymph nodes. Helpful to reduce swelling around your face and neck.
Limit Time in Loud Environments
Noisy places like bars or restaurants can force you to talk louder, straining your voice. Combine that with allergies, and your voice might sound tired and weak. Attend loud events in moderation!
Rest Your Voice
Keep your speaking volume low, and remember: whispering can strain your voice more than gentle, clear speaking. If your voice feels tired, drink more water and rest your voice as much as possible!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this blog post! If you would like to keep in touch and continue to learn more about all things music related, please consider signing up for my newsletter and sharing your contact info below.
Cheers!
Warmly,
Mark
