How to Maintain Vocal Health While Traveling
Maintaining vocal health is crucial for performers, especially when traveling for gigs or tours. With constant movement between different time zones, fluctuating weather conditions, and long hours of speaking or singing, your voice can easily suffer if not properly cared for. Here are some essential tips on how to maintain vocal health while traveling.
Maintaining Vocal Health While Traveling
1. Stay Hydrated
The most fundamental rule for vocal health is staying hydrated. Traveling, particularly by air, can dry out your throat due to low humidity levels in airplane cabins and different climates. Always carry a water bottle with you, and aim to drink small sips of water throughout the day, rather than large amounts at once, as this ensures consistent hydration. You can also opt for herbal teas (preferably caffeine-free) or warm water with honey, which helps soothe the throat.
2. Use a Humidifier
Long flights, delayed schedules, and loud environments often mean talking for long periods or speaking over noise. When traveling, try to avoid shouting or speaking loudly in noisy areas, as it can strain your vocal cords. If you have to speak for long periods, use a microphone or sound system to save your voice, especially during rehearsals or meetings.
3. Avoid Overexerting Your Voice
Long flights, delayed schedules, and loud environments often mean talking for long periods or speaking over noise. When traveling, try to avoid shouting or speaking loudly in noisy areas, as it can strain your vocal cords. If you have to speak for long periods, use a microphone or sound system to save your voice, especially during rehearsals or meetings.
Additionally, it’s important to take vocal breaks. Give yourself time to rest between speaking or singing. If you feel your voice is becoming tired, take a break and avoid speaking altogether for a few minutes. Resting your voice helps prevent overexertion and allows it to recover.
4. Manage Jet Lag
Jet lag is an inevitable part of long-distance travel, especially for international tours. The disruption in your sleep schedule can affect your vocal performance. Lack of rest and adjusting to new time zones can cause vocal fatigue and discomfort. To mitigate the effects of jet lag on your voice, prioritize sleep. When you arrive at your destination, try to take short naps to adjust your body’s internal clock, and avoid staying up too late.
Also, try to limit caffeine intake, as it can dehydrate you and worsen jet lag. Instead, focus on drinking water and herbal teas to keep your body and vocal cords hydrated.
5. Warm Up and Cool Down Your Voice
Just like any athlete prepares their body before a workout, warming up your voice is essential before performing. When you travel, don’t skip your vocal warm-ups, even if you’re feeling tired. Start with light humming or lip trills to gently stretch your vocal cords before speaking or singing. After your performance or long hours of talking, perform a cool-down routine, such as gentle hums or soft vocalizations, to release any tension built up in your voice.
6. Eat and Rest Wisely
Your diet can also play a significant role in your vocal health. Avoid heavy or acidic meals before performances, as they can lead to reflux, which irritates the vocal cords. Focus on eating light, balanced meals, and keep your throat lubricated with water or herbal teas.
Rest is just as important as hydration. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, as fatigue can lead to tension in your voice. Consistent rest will help maintain your vocal stamina for the entire duration of the tour.
Rest is just as important as hydration.
Traveling for gigs or tours can take a toll on your voice if you aren’t careful, but maintaining vocal health with proper hydration, rest, and vocal care, you will be able to perform at your best. Staying proactive about your voice’s needs—whether through humidifiers, rest, or gentle vocal exercises—ensures you can continue doing what you love without compromising your vocal well-being.
At HVS Conservatory, you can develop the necessary tools to succeed in the music industry. Based in Los Angeles, our faculty of music industry experts help to coach aspiring artists by passing on real-world training from their personal experiences alongside necessary musical training. Check out our schedule of masterclasses and free community events, including acoustic sessions, seasonal open house events, and artist showcases.