Keeping your Voice/Body Healthy

With the winter season fully underway, many people will find themselves getting sick. Nobody likes to get sick, but especially as a musician, getting sick can result in missed practice time, or even worse, a missed concert! Here are some tips to stay healthy and/or recover if you're already feeling under the weather.

1. Drink water: Whether you're sick or not, water is always good for you. It lubricates your voice and flushes away any diseases in your body.

2. Bundle up: Naturally everyone wears warmer clothes in the wintertime. Don't underestimate the ability of a good, thick scarf to keep your voice warm. In very cold temperatures, try your best to breathe through your nose, as this will warm the air that will eventually reach your vocal chords and lungs.

3. Vitamin C: While there are many debates on whether or not vitamin C does anything for your immune system, I can safely say for myself that each time I'm getting sick, a high does of vitamin C seems to help me recuperate faster than nothing. Products such as Emergen-C and Airborne can help.

4. Stay out of the cold: If you can avoid the cold, the less chance you'll have of damaging your instrument (this includes voice). Don't leave your instruments outside, in your car, garage or any other place that has a significantly lower temperature - even if it's in a case. Most of your instruments are made of wood, and cold can wreak havoc, causing the wood to become dry and very brittle. A good gauge is that if you aren't comfortable in your environment, your instrument probably won't be either.

5. Get a humidifier: Most instruments made of wood like a humidity range from 45% to 55%. During the wintertime your household humidity can easily go below 35%. As described in number 4, this dry environment will cause your instrument to warp and become brittle. In regards to voice, a very dry environment will result in your voice perhaps sounding raspy (everyone is effected differently). Furthermore, if you're sick, a humidifier does a great job of keeping your voice lubricated.

6. Avoid extreme temperatures: What this means is to try your best from going from very cold temperatures to warm or very hot repeatedly. Your body has to re-adjust every time you change extreme environments, which inevitably weakens your immune system.

7.Wash your hands: This is perhaps the most important on the list. We've all heard it many times: wash your hands after using the bathroom, every time!