Voice Lessons Online- Protect Your Voice From Winter Ailments

Vocalists can encounter many detriments to their singing voices. The winter cold and flu season may be the most hazardous for vocalists as illnesses can often be the cause of vocal damage if vocalists attempt to sing while ill. Many vocalists will experience a sore throat during their career and such an ailment can be quite frustrating. Sore throats can be an indicator of a greater illness such as strep throat or tonsillitis, however not all sore throats are indicative of such extreme illnesses and sore throats overall are very common.

Sore throats are particularly frustrating to vocalists not only because they hinder vocalists from singing, but because there are no immediate reliefs remedies for them. Sore throats must heal naturally therefore the time it may take to heal will vary by each individual.

While sore throats must heal naturally, there are several courses of action you can take to help the healing process along. While these remedies do not promise immediate results, they will ensure that your throat will heal more quickly. There are a number of natural sore throat remedies available; these are the remedies I have found work best for me but pursue other remedies if you are not finding relief.

1. Gargle with Salt Water. Gargling with salt water is not only good for healing a sore throat but is a good daily practice to protect from illnesses in the first place. Bacteria that is inhaled through the mouth and nose stays in the throat for 24 before filtering down into the rest of the body. By gargling with warm salt water every morning or ideally every morning and every night when you wake up and before you go to bed you ensure that this bacterium is killed before it filters into the body. This can prevent sickness from occurring and help heal an already existing sore throat. Salt water solution is requires only warm water and salt to make. Every morning when you wake up and before you go to bed at night, mix a half a cup of warm water (as warm as you can handle) with a Tablespoon of salt and gargle.

2. Whiskey, Honey, and Lemon. Mixing together equal parts of whiskey, lemon juice, and honey will help to relieve a sore throat. The Honey is soothing while the Lemon and Whiskey help to eliminate bacteria in the throat. It may burn at first as many find whiskey burns when you drink it, but taking a quick shot should help the burning be as minimal as possible.

3. Honey and Lemon Tea. For those that find they would like to avoid remedies including alcohol, you can also make servings of hot lemon tea with honey to help relieve a sore throat. Squeeze half a lemon into a mug and add a teaspoon of honey. Pour boiling water and mix until the honey has completely dissolved. Wait for the water to cool to a drinkable temperature and drink to relieve a sore throat. The honey will have the same soothing effect on the vocal chords while the lemon helps to destroy any bacteria currently caught in your mouth and throat. Lemon also helps to restore the ph balance to your mouth and throat which helps to prevent the growth of future bacteria in those areas.

Other measures can be taken to help the natural healing of a sore throat for vocalists. Voice lessons online teach simple singing tips that should be used regularly but especially when dealing with a sore throat. Drinking lots of water can help relieve a sore or scratchy throat while also ensuring that your vocal chords remain moist. Limiting the time you spend vocalizing or talking can also help speed along your healing time. (Whispering counts as talking!) So taking some intentional times of silence can help your voice heal. Avoiding cold air can also help speed along your healing process. If you do have to go out into cold air, covering your mouth and nose with a scarf or headwrap will ensure that the air you inhale is warmed.

Protecting your voice is essential for vocalists and requires great vigilance, especially during the cold and flu season. If you do find yourself with an illness or a sore throat you can help alleviate it naturally with these remedies. Voice lessons online also teach great singing tips that can help you protect your voice at all times and ensure that you are singing at your optimal level. You can find more information about singing techniques through voice lessons online.