Technically speaking, it isn't our actual voice that gets tired when we get vocal fatigue.
When we overuse our voice by speaking, singing, or shouting for too long a period of time, the muscles in our larynx can get tired and irritated to the point of causing dryness, irritation, and possibly pain.
Preventing vocal fatigue can be a pretty simple process as long as you aren't falling into bad daily habits. Here are a few tips that can help you avoid tiring out the muscles that you use when you talk or sing.
Warming up your voice, especially in the morning, is a great way to ease your body into speaking or singing without causing any damage or irritation.
There are several go-to warmups that I use nearly every day as a professional studio vocalist.
There would be such a different sound coming out in my recordings if it weren't for the positive effects I get from doing these exercises before singing for an extended period of time. Check out some of my favorite vocal exercises here.
Many people who use their voices as part of their career are used to doing vocal warmups, but not enough of us are using vocal cooldowns to help transition our voices into a normal tone after a long bout of singing or speaking.
Without the use of vocal cooldowns, you run the risk of going through vocal fatigue after a singing or speaking engagement that will last hours.
Check out some recommendations I have for simple vocal cooldowns that only take about 10 minutes here.
Not only is it essential to drink plenty of water throughout the day, but it is important to hydrate before a long performance at the right time. If you want to hydrate in time properly, be sure that you are drinking water at least two hours before your performance.
It's not a bad idea to get a cup or two of water before you are singing for a long period of time, but it won't be the same as adequately hydrating 2 hours before.
This is the first tea I ever tried for the sole purpose of soothing my throat for singing.
It's the tea I heard the most positive things about, and the people weren't wrong at all when they said that this tea is one of the best for singers. The taste is good and has a hint of licorice, and it really smells nice too!
Check out more great tea options in my "Best Tea For Singers" post!
You need to give your vocal mechanisms time to rest after a long period of talking or singing. It's not a bad idea to regularly go on vocal rest after big shows or while you're on tour.
Sure, you will be annoyed by having to speak less and not being able to sing around the house, but you'll be doing yourself a favor for the gig that's coming up the next day.
The Lombard Effect happens when we subconsciously speak or sing louder in environments that are loud. It happens to us all, especially in a nightlife environment.
Many people easily go hoarse after a late night out with friends because of this effect paired with the use of alcohol and bad hydration.
Try to speak less and use more hand gestures and texting instead of running the risk of putting yourself through vocal fatigue.
Related Post: Singing With A Raspy Voice - Is It Bad? Is It Stylistic?
I'm still very guilty of this, but we need to clear our throats way less. Clearing the throat and coughing are two common things that can irritate and dry out our throats.
The best alternative solution for wanting to clear your throat is to simply get some water or swallow a bit of saliva.
It's far better than the irritation that comes with several coughs or throat clears that do nothing but damage over time. I know it's hard to do, but even cutting your coughs and throat clearing in half will do you a lot of good.
If you have a gig coming up, be sure that you aren't drinking alcohol or caffeine. For my tea lovers out there, drinking tea is a great thing to do as a singer or speaker, but avoid the teas that have caffeine in them since they can dry out your throat.
The best thing to do will be to simply drink water if you don't feel like remembering what and what not you want to drink in order to stay hydrated.
It's pretty easy to tell if you're suffering from vocal fatigue. You will experience symptoms that can include sore throat, dryness, hoarseness, tightness in your neck muscles, shortness of breath, and the feeling that there is a lump in your throat.
It's also easy to tell where you went wrong and what caused that vocal fatigue. Fortunately, using the tips above will help you recover quickly and avoid it in the future if you are consistent with these recommendations.
So you're not alone; vocal fatigue is a common issue that occurs when the muscles in our larynx become tired and irritated due to overuse.
While our actual voice doesn't get tired, the symptoms of vocal fatigue, such as dryness, irritation, and even pain, can be bothersome. However, preventing vocal fatigue is relatively simple if we adopt good habits.
Vocal warm-ups and cool-downs are essential for easing our bodies into speaking or singing without causing damage. Staying hydrated, both throughout the day and specifically before performances, is crucial for maintaining vocal health.
Traditional Medicinals Organic Throat Coat Seasonal Tea is a popular option for soothing the throat.
Additionally, taking vocal rest, avoiding the Lombard Effect, reducing throat clearing, and minimizing the consumption of caffeine and alcohol can all contribute to preventing vocal fatigue.
By being mindful of these tips and consistently implementing them, we can recover quickly from vocal fatigue and safeguard our voices in the future. Remember, taking care of our vocal health is key to maintaining a strong and reliable voice.
Related Post: Throat Lozenges For Singers - What You Need To Know
As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
