16/06/2022
HOW TO HELP YOUR VOICE RECOVER AFTER THE FLU 🤒
When we are sick we often feel vocally fatigued much faster than usual. Here are two main areas to consider when trying to recover vocally after being unwell with a cold or flu.
*Disclaimer* This is general information not taking into account your specific situation or any pre-existing or existing health conditions/ vocal conditions.
HEALTHY VOICE FUNCTION.
In short- after being sick the physiological conditions surrounding the vocal folds may not optimal for them to be able to function at their full capacity with ease and efficiency.
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t speak or sing, but this does mean that you should be aware of your vocal load, how much you are using your voice and in what capacity you are using it. For example, it is helpful to avoid high-capacity sounds such as shouting or whispering. A GREAT misconception is that to look after the voice when sick we must whisper. This is one of the most harmful things you can be doing to your voice and will make you feel far worse vocally, NOT better.
Instead, try to speak in an everyday normal way like you’re talking to your friends, don’t be too quiet (whisper) and don’t try to yell. If you feel like your voice is fatiguing, don’t push it.
EXTERNAL REMEDIAL TOOLS.
After being sick there are a few things you can do practically that may help your voice recover faster.
Using a steaming device is a great way to get moisture directly onto the vocal folds as well as help the moisture around the vocal folds become less viscous (caused by the cold) and therefore help the vocal folds be able to function with less resistance and more ease.
Another incredibly helpful way to ease yourself back into speaking or singing after a cold or flu is doing exercises that are gentle on the voice and promote overall efficiency in terms of support, airflow, etc. Examples of these exercises are lip trills, puffy cheeks, and straw phonation (just made a reel on this). Straw phonation has the most benefits out of these exercises.
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