Learning About Your Health
Speech-Language Pathology: Strategies for Keeping Your Voice Healthy
- Be sure to drink lots of water every day - at least 8 eight-ounce glasses (64 oz)
- Rest is important. Getting a good night's sleep will help you to maintain a healthy voice. Remember to keep your upper body slightly elevated when you lie down. This will also help to control heartburn
- Eat a balanced diet. Limit spices, fats and caffeine
- Try to limit excessive and unnecessary talking in order to rest your voice. Relax your jaw by keeping your lips together and your teeth slightly apart when you finish speaking
- Remember to relax your neck, shoulders, and upper body. Simple stretching exercises will help to keep your muscles relaxed
- Use a humidifier or vaporizer in your bedroom
- Avoid talking in smoky or dusty rooms. Smoke, dust and chemicals are irritants that may harm your voice
Change Behaviors which Harm the Voice
- Replace coughing and throat-clearing with sniff-swallow and/or silent cough
- Avoid talking in noisy environments
- Use voice amplification
- Speak and sing within your normal vocal range
- Stop smoking and alcohol use
- Avoid vigorous grunting or making loud sounds when lifting, pushing or pulling
- If you have laryngitis, use a soft voice rather than whispering
