Eight (8) Helpful Vocal Recovery Techniques

written by – W.N. Vincent

Talking about helpful vocal recovery techniques; in April of 2019, during a camp meeting, a vocalist walked up to me with this question, “My voice is cracked. Please what can I do?” I said two words to him, “Just Rest”.

I still remember the look on his face after I said that. Just rest? Too vague a response right?
When I saw him the next day, in his words, ‘he felt better’.

Some natural processes may lead to the loss of your voice but the basic thing to do when the voice is lost is to REST.

Some of those natural processes include:
1. Extensive singing (All night, a packed weekly singing schedule, etc)
2. Shouting and excessive Loud talking.

In this period of ‘REST’, these are Eight (8) helpful vocal recovery techniques you should apply.

 

1. Drink Lots of Water

Your vocal tract needs to be as humidified as possible. This creates warmth that initiates the vocal healing process.

2. The Steam Technique

Try inhaling the steam from warm water in a bowl. As you’re going this, make sure you cover up in your head and neck regions.
This warm sensation helps clear off the mucous that often times block the nasal cavity up to the nasopharynx.

Also, it speeds up the vocal healing process.

3. Take Fruits

Take fruits that are rich in Vitamin C, which plays a role in the healing of worn-out tissues. This is very helpful in your vocal recovery process.

4. Keep Your Body Warm

Wear clothes that cover your body and keep you warm, both during the day and night periods.
This helps you to maintain homeostasis so as to avoid any form of vocal-fold shrinking.

5. Vocal Warm-up Exercises are Helpful

Keep away from any singing that places so much pressure and tension on the muscles responsible for singing, rather employ light vocal warm-ups.

Helpful warm-up exercises include;
– Humming
– Lip Trill/Tongue Trill

6. Avoid Cold Drinks

Cold drinks will increase vocal weakness and tighten the muscle, stiffen the mucous in your vocal tract, which will lead to difficulty in singing.

Drinking water at Room temperature will do just fine.

7. Avoid Singing and Unnecessary Conversations

The essence of resting is to get your voice back. Having this understanding, try to avoid singing and talk less!
You can always sing at another time, so take a couple of days off! Three (3) to five (5) days of vocal rest from any singing activity would go a long way!

Also, instead of phone calls, try texting and other methods of communication that won’t place any demand on your voice.

8. Get plenty of Sleep

Sleeping enables your vocal folds to rest and heal.
On days you want to rest your voice, try to get at least seven (7) hours of sleep each night, rather than staying up late to watch TV or some other activities.

Extras

Honey

Mix Two to Three tablespoons of honey in warm water until it is dissolved.
Honey is known to help soothe and heal your throat and vocal cords.

Gaggle Water

Take a sip of the liquid and tilt your head back. Allow the liquid to go as far back in your throat as possible. DO NOT SWALLOW!
Start gargling.

Make sure to spit out the liquid once you finish gargling.

You can do this throughout the day and just before you go to bed.

Did you find this helpful?
What other vocal recovery technique works for you? I’d love to hear them!