Healthy Voice

Healthy Voice Diet

Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) –

Can be controlled by a healthy diet:

Eat fruits (no citrus), vegetables (no tomato products) and whole grains. These have several vitamins, such as vitamins A, E, and C that are important for overall health. These foods can also help keep the mucous membranes in the throat healthy.

Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water, warm or room temperature - not too hot, not too cold.

Limit coffee, black tea, all soda/pops, milk, and alcohol.

Ensure all food and beverages are consumed warm or at room temperature.

No fatty, fried and spicy food  - it can cause stomach acid to go into the throat or esophagus. This can lead to heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Include a variety of healthy foods in your diet. 

Don’t go to bed on a full stomach - increases chances for reflux.

Don’t eat large quantities of food or lay down too soon - it increases the risk of backflow.

Some voice disorders are caused by a problem that can be treated with medicine. For example, antacid medicine may be used for GERD or hormone therapy for problems with thyroid or female hormones.

Don’t wear clothing that puts pressure on your stomach – it also increases the risk of reflux.

Stop tobacco abuse.

To learn more about Reflux Laryngitis open the link below

http://www.otolaryngology.pitt.edu/centers-excellence/voice-center/conditions-we-treat/reflux-laryngitis

Healthy Voice Use

Do not overuse of voice.

No whispering.

No yelling.

No forceful singing.

No speaking loudly

All of that can be controlled.

Take frequent breaks from talking.

Rest your voice regularly if you speak or sing a lot.

Warm up the vocal cords before extensive periods of speaking. 

Stay hydrated. Moisturize vocal cord by drinking lots of warm or room temperature water. Fluids help keep the mucus in your throat thin and easy to clear.

Avoid clearing your throat. This does more harm than good because it causes an abnormal vibration of your vocal cords and can increase swelling. Clearing your throat also causes your throat to secrete more mucus and feel more irritated, making you want to clear your throat again.

Vocal Warm-ups:

Yawn technique. Simply yawn (take in air) with your mouth closed.

Humming warm-ups.

Vocal straw exercise.

Lip-buzz Vocal warm-up.

Tongue trill exercise.

Jaw loosening exercises.

Two-octave pitch glide Warm-Up.

Vocal sirens exercise.

Open the link below for more details

https://www.schoolofrock.com/resources/vocals/9-best-vocal-warm-ups-for-singers

Cool Down Your Voice after Singing

After vocal warm-ups and singing, it is essential that you also cool down your voice. You can use the same vocal exercises you used during your warm-up, starting with the most intense and working down to the least intense. Simply using the humming vocal exercise will also allow your voice to cool down and relax.

Breathing Techniques for Better Singing

Sing From Your Diaphragm -

The diaphragm is a muscle between your chest and your belly that governs how much air you inhale and exhale when you breathe. Your body should be relaxed and balanced, with your weight slightly forward. The sound of your voice doesn’t actually come from your diaphragm, of course - the sound is generated by vibrations of your vocal cords. The vibrations are caused by air being pushed out of your lungs. Your diaphragm is what controls the pushing and is responsible for putting power behind your voice.

Exhale on a Hiss -

To master the exhale on a hiss breathing technique, it’s important to:

Stand up straight and relax your body. This will also relax your diaphragm and release any tension that could prevent you from singing incorrectly.

Breathe in through your mouth and count to 5. As you breathe, bring the air deep into your lungs. A “singer’s breath” should not make your chest puff out or your shoulders rise - instead, your belly should expand outward.

Exhale and count to 9. Make a hissing noise while exhaling (like snake hissing). By the time you are done counting, all the air should be expelled from your lungs.

Once you build more lung capacity and get comfortable with this exercise, you can breathe in for a seven-count and exhale for a 12 count.

Vocal Cords Massage in Vocal Tension

Place your hands on the top of your chest as if you were pulling down on your skin.

Now, raise your chin and jut your jaw towards the ceiling for a second or so.

You should feel the stretch in the multitude of tissue that runs down the front of your neck.

Open the link below for more exercises:

https://www.thenakedvocalist.com/vocal-tension-self-massage/

Voice Therapy

The aim of voice therapy is to eliminate or improve problems with the creation of vocal sounds (phonation) in the larynx (voice box). Vocal overuse is often seen in sports enthusiasts, high-energy adults who often speak at full volume or inactive, or loud children.

Voice therapy has been proved to be effective for hoarseness across the lifespan from children to older adults.

Voice therapy can also be used for prevention, to train your voice in order to avoid such problems altogether.

For voice therapy a patient typically sees a therapist once or several times a week, each session usually lasts 45 minutes, for a few months.

It is also possible to do online sessions at home.

Voice therapy may include the following exercises:

Breathing exercises – for example, practicing using your diaphragm more when breathing, or learning to better coordinate your speech and breathing.

Relaxation exercises to reduce tension.

Movement or posture exercises to improve your posture.

Exercises for the mouth and jaw muscles – for instance, using chewing movements or intentional yawning and sighing.