Singer's Tip #1 - HYDRATE

Water is essential to all life, everywhere on the planet. We all know this, and yet most of us don’t drink as much water as is recommended for good health. As singers it’s even more vital to stay hydrated! We all need to make sure we drink enough water to maintain good health- most guidelines say 6-8 glasses of water daily, but we singers have another important reason to ensure proper hydration- our vocal health. Our vocal cords require plenty of moisture to be healthy, limber and flexible AND to maintain a protective coating of thin mucous. Without this coating, the vocal cords are dry, easily become irritated and more vulnerable to vocal injury. If you are drinking enough water every day, then your body is able to maintain the correct consistency of mucus. Okay, not a delightful subject, I know, however this is so important! If your body doesn’t have enough water, and the consistency or quantity of that protective mucous lining isn’t in place, your body will try to overcompensate by creating thicker mucus in your throat lining. This often creates discomfort and the feeling that you need to clear your throat repeatedly. This can create its own vicious cycle. If you start to repeatedly and forcefully clear your throat, the tissues become more irritated and inflamed. This causes the body to charge to the rescue with more mucus! And so the cycle continues... To avoid this, really get faithful about following your water regimen. 6 to 8 glasses is ideal for good health but I would up it to 8-10 glasses if you are dealing with any vocal issues. If you are on the go, take your water bottle with you and don’t leave it in the car- it can get too hot and undrinkable in those hot times of the year. There are also wonderful throat sprays on the market to help with irritation in the throat… Singer’s Saving Grace is awesome. Look for a throat spray that does not contain menthol. Menthol can numb the throat to the point where it’s possible to injure your throat without even realizing it. It's also best to avoid a throat spray with alcohol, as it can actually be drying to the throat. In addition to keeping your body hydrated, make sure that you have water with you while you are warming up, doing vocal exercises and singing to keep the throat itself moist as you sing- you don’t want to vocalize with a dry throat! I also recommend Throat Coat Tea by Traditional Medicinals. It has soothing ingredients and feels like you took your voice to the spa (says so on the box!). I keep it in a thermos and take it with me whenever I rehearse or go to a gig. So to maintain good hydration drink at least 6-8 filtered or spring water throughout the day. Also, have cool or room temp water with you during vocal practice, a vocal lesson and of course when you are performing!