Vocal
hygieneAvoid
- Cigarette smoke, dry atmospheres, dust, fumes
- Alcohol, caffeine, decongestant drugs
- Throat lozenges—they can dry out your throat
- Gargling with aspirin
- Fatigue, lack of sleep, and eating late at night
- Shouting, whispering, screaming, singing, straining your voice
- Prolonged periods of speaking without rest
- Repetitive throat clearing and coughing
Try
- Resting your voice - write it down!
- Yawning and humming to relax your voice box
- Sleeping for longer
- Good hydration—minimum of six glasses of water a day
- Regular steam inhalation (without additives such as menthol)
- Humidifying your environment—place a bowl of water near a radiator
- To remedy habitual throat clearing: resist the temptation to clear your throat; instead, sip ice cold, carbonated water every time you feel the need to clear your throat or cough, for at least four days and four nights