Winter Wellness (singing strategies)

The holiday season is upon us once again - are you prepared for it? I'm not talking about the relentless hours standing in line to find the perfect gift; I'm talking about the Battle of Winter!

Over the next several months, you'll be fighting two different enemies on two battle fronts. First, there's The Bitter Cold of Outdoors and then The Dreaded Dry Air from Indoor Heating. This two-pronged attack can wreak havoc on your instrument by leaching moisture from your sinuses, mouth, and throat. To preserve your voice over the coming months, follow these simple steps:

INDOORS

Humidity is Key

Use a humidifier or vaporizer to maintain the moisture in your environment. If you work in an office, check to see if it's acceptable to keep a small one near your desk. At home, place several around the house, especially in the bedroom — where you tend to breathe through your mouth rather than your nose — while sleeping.

Humidifiers and vaporizers work on the same basic principle, but differ in the types of moisture (or humidity) they release. Humidifiers release cool moisture into the air by breaking up cool water particles using a rapidly turning disk submerged in water.

Vaporizers contain a heating element that boils the water before dispersing it, creating a warm mist.

Either can be helpful, but it's important to realize that because the water in the humidifier tank isn’t boiled, it's highly prone to developing mold and mildew. Make sure you pay attention to any signs such as brownish, black marks appearing on ceilings or walls. Repeated cleaning — at least once a week — should keep any fungi away. Vaporizers have a much lower risk of bacterial growth but, due to the heating element, can be dangerous to have around pets or children who may accidentally bump into and spill the boiling water.

There are several types of each available on the market, and can be found right in your pharmacy. Do a little research on each to find the method/type that's best for you.

Steaming

Steaming is a process by which you introduce steam to your system, either nasally or through the skin, to rehydrate your vocal tissues and relax your vocal muscles. It can be a soothing treatment after coming in from the cold, or recovering from hoarseness or singing hard.

You can find personal steam inhalers online or in retail chains for around $20 and up.

Optionally, you can try these following methods:

Bowl and Towel Steam Treatment

Directions: Boil water, preferably filtered or distilled. Pour into a bowl. With your head covered by a large towel, lean over the bowl and make a "tent" to trap the steam. Inhale gently through your nose for 5 to 10 minutes or until there is no more steam.

1. Do not speak or whisper (which can be just as strenuous as talking) for at least 20 minutes after steaming. If you need to communicate during that time, use a note pad, tablet, or electronic device to write any questions/comments/answers.

2. Do not go outside for at least 30 minutes after treatment. If it's below 70 degrees outside, wait at least one hour and then be sure to wrap your mouth, nose, and throat with a scarf. Breathing cold air too soon afterwards will be a shock to your voice and may aggravate an infection.

Shower Steam Treatment

Directions: Turn on a hot shower and let your bathroom fill with steam. Breathe normally, inhaling through your nose. Stay in the room for 15 - 20 minutes.

1. If you get in the shower, be careful not to scald yourself with the hot water.

2. Do not go outside for at least 30 minutes after treatment. Give your skin time to cool down and get back to normal temperatures.

Hydrate and recuperate

Because the air can be very drying, make sure to drink plenty of purified, bottled water to keep hydrated. Decaffeinated herbal teas can also be helpful to both hydrate and relax muscles and tissue used for singing.

OUTDOORS

Wrap it Up

When going outside in cold weather, wrap your neck with a warm scarf and make sure to pull it up over your nose. Breathing with your nose covered will capture the moisture of your breath. The air will become warm and hydrate the air you inhale.

So, during this winter season, make humidity and steam your new best friends and drink plenty of water to help keep your voice healthy and happy!

Craig M. Jones is a professional singer, musician, songwriter and vocal educator with over 30 years’ experience in the entertainment industry. He has performed locally and internationally, as both a singer and percussionist, with such notables as Orange Then Blue, Stan Getz and Walter Beasley. A former member of The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M), he strives to blend his knowledge of health and wellness into a cohesive vocal technique to both develop and support all musical styles and genres.

*The A4M is a not-for-profit medical society dedicated to the advancement of technology to detect, prevent, and treat aging related disease and to promote research into methods to retard and optimize the human aging process. A4M is also dedicated to educating physicians, scientists, and members of the public on anti-aging issues.