Winter doesn’t agree with me. For more reasons than you care to hear, I am not a big fan of cold and snow and gray and darkness. It can also take a toll on my voice as well. From sometime in November until, oh let’s say the end of April, the climate where I live is colder, and the air is drier, and my sinuses are stuffier. I remember a couple of years when I worked in radio that I lost my voice on December 1st — just like clockwork. I would just wake up that morning, and it had left me overnight sometime. Nothing is more frustrating for someone who talks for a living. And, it will, of course, happen when you have that big project to complete, or perhaps more work waiting for you than you’ve had for the past 6 months. For some reason that I haven’t figured out for sure, December is my busiest VO month of the year. Maybe lots of businesses are getting in those final expenses of the tax year, I don’t know. Oh yeah, there is also lots of singing for our church’s Christmas program, too. Anyway, it has caused me to be extra careful with the way I treat my voice as the winter settles in.
So, here are some products and tips that have helped me, and may be of help to you, too. I’ve provided links (in red) for some of the products so that you can check them out for yourself.
Throat Coat Tea from Traditional Medicinals — This tea does exactly what it says. You can actually feel it coating your throat, soothing it at least temporarily. It’s not my favorite flavor (it contains licorice), but it is tolerable, and when your throat is sore and scratchy, it is downright pleasant. : ) I have gotten through some projects by downing a few mugs of this tea during recording sessions.
Olba’s Pastilles Herbal Cough Drops — Wow, these are by far the best cough drops I have ever tried. They are also the nastiest tasting drops I’ve ever used. But they work so well, you become accustomed to the taste and don’t really mind it. These not only help to suppress a cough, they actually clear out your sinuses and clear out any mucous or drainage you may be experiencing in your throat. They soften up some in your mouth, and I often just sort of stick it to the roof of my mouth and let it dissolve there. I have found that I can sing and talk with one in my mouth usually without any problem. The other trick is to drink some water either while it is still in your mouth or after it has dissolved and the cool menthol washes down over the throat helping to clear it out.
Olba’s Natural Inhaler – Another great product from Olba’s that I use regularly in the winter before I go to bed, and sometimes during the day to help relieve stuffiness. I also use the Olba’s Oil sometimes, but the inhaler is more convenient.
Olba’s Herbal Tea – I guess by now you’ve figured out that I am a fan of Olba’s. This is an instant tea, which is very different from what I am used to, but it is a nice soother when I’m feeling like a cold may be trying to get a hold of me. Very pleasant tasting.
Neti Pot — I finally was desperate enough last year to try one of these. It looks completely gross, but I needed to get my sinuses open or I was going to mess up a big job. If you aren’t sure what this is, do a search for it online. The link I included here is for the neti pot I use (and some essential oils I use with it). There are many different brands, but it’s all pretty much the same thing. It actually isn’t bad at all. It takes a couple of tries to get the hang of using it, but it does help to clean some yuk out and it moisturizes the sinuses. I can’t say that I suddenly felt open and that I was breathing a lot better after using it, but I do believe it helps. It is something that I should do more often to keep my sinuses moisturized, which in turn would eliminate or at least reduce some of the other problems.
Oregano Oil – Just a few drops of this potent oil in a small amount of water can be downed quickly and you’ll feel a slight warming sensation in your throat. For me, it feels like it is cleansing. This medicinal oil has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. I really believe it has kept me from getting a cold, or at least stave off some of the worst symptoms. The link here takes you to an explanation of the health benefits of oregano oil.
My main mantra in the winter: Don’t Cough! I have learned the hard way to do everything in my power to not cough when I feel that irritated tickle prompting me to do so. I have discovered that the more I cough, the less voice I have left. If I can keep from coughing, then I can most likely keep my voice.
Humidity helps — I run a humidifier all night near the bedroom which does help aid in breathing. I don’t usually run one in my office / studio, since I can’t have the noise, but I do often leave it running most of the day upstairs in the hallway where the bedrooms are.
Stay Hydrated — This one is kind of tough for me. I don’t like to drink a lot of water (or I just sort of forget to do it), but I know it is important. I drink a lot of hot tea (all year long, not just in winter), and sometimes iced tea or fruit infusions. One positive is that the more VO work I have, the more water I drink, since I do keep a glass in the studio with me at all times.
I had a really tough December last year and nearly lost my voice completely, so I was sort of panicked this year and bought some new products in case of emergency. Fortunately, I haven’t had reason to use them so far this season, so I can’t really review them for you. I like to use natural and homeopathic remedies when available. The two I purchased this year (but haven’t used) are NatraBio Sore Throat homeopathic tablets, and Herb Pharm Propolis Echinacea herbal throat spray. I’ll post a review once I need to use them.
I am soooo looking forward to spring, but in the meantime these products and tips are helping me (or at least my voice) get through the winter. Hopefully they may help you, too. I think I’ll go raise my glass and have a cup of tea “to our health”!
