Small daily routines for a healthy voice

I often hear people say, “I can’t sing,” “I’m tone-deaf,” “I don’t have a strong voice—I could never work in singing.” Well, what’s often forgotten in all these cases is that singing is actually a skill—and like any skill, it can be learned and improved through dedication and consistency.

The singers we all remember are those whose voices are immediately recognizable—those with unique qualities that grab our attention. It’s important, then, to discover and understand your voice’s distinctive traits and learn how to highlight them in your own approach. This is exactly where working with a singing teacher—and later, a vocal coach—becomes invaluable, not only to build a healthy technique, but also to leave room for personalization and taste (after all, no one wants to hear singers who all approach every note the same way).

Below are just a few simple daily tips to help keep your voice healthy:

• Stay hydrated: Optimal hydration maintains vocal cord lubrication, keeping the voice agile, flexible, and powerful. On that note: did you know caffeine dehydrates?

• Daily warm-ups: Warming up and training the voice is essential. But how much warm-up is enough? You don’t need hours—just 5–15 minutes depending on the vocal effort required for the day.

• Regular movement: A healthy, flexible body greatly supports the voice. Just be careful not to overload with heavy weights!

• Eat well: A balanced, non-restrictive diet helps build muscle tone and strengthen the immune system, both of which support and improve vocal health. Being overweight is one of the most common enemies of vocal ergonomics.

• Rest: Sometimes, not singing is as important as singing when it comes to strengthening and improving your voice. This is called vocal rest. Having a solid sleep routine is also crucial!

• Use devices: Exercises with straw phonation (in air or in water), or gradual-resistance masks, can help you use your voice more efficiently, relieve tension from the vocal cords, and reduce the risk of injury or strain.

• Don’t overdo it: Sure, “take the gig when it comes” is a real saying—but so is the fact that you only have one vocal instrument, and it must be protected. If you're feeling tired or your voice feels scratchy after a long practice, it’s worth revisiting your vocal technique to see if there’s a way to reduce the strain. Ideally, singing should feel easy and natural—and if it doesn’t, take a step back and ask for guidance.

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Valentina Carlile - Osteopath specializing in Osteopathy for Voice and Speech Disorders since 2002. For information and bookings, visit the Contact page.

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