Have you ever wondered how other vocalists can get up and sing when they are sick and still sound great?  Everyone has gone through their trial and errors to see what works best for them! In this post, I will show you the things that I use that help me through those tough sick and allergy times when I need to sing!

*This post contains Affiliate Links

** please consult your doctor before trying something you haven’t already used

** Never try anything new the day of a performance or competition…you need to know how your body will react to foods, supplements, medications, and treatments before you sing.

**It’s never a good idea to sing for an audition when you are sick… however, sometimes these things cannot be avoided.

A Little Background

When I was a kid, during college, and even during my first years of teaching, I rarely got sick.  In 2010, I almost died during the birth of my second child. I received 54 units of blood products and was intubated in the ICU for three days.  With my massive “oil change” (as my husband calls it), I ended up with not much of an immune system. I’ve been “rebuilding” my immune system and voice ever since.  This has led me to many personal discoveries about what helps my voice. Only you can discover what is best for your voice by trial and error!

PREVENTION

I think the best preventative measures for your voice is to sing every day, drink lots of water, and to keep your allergies in check.

I read an interesting article in the NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) “Journal of Singing” several years ago.  Although the article was geared toward “older” singers, the information about the muscles associated with the voice is very true.  

I’ve had many teachers over the years talk about the importance of good muscle memory.  You can only get good muscle memory by doing the same thing a specific way every day for quite a while!

I wash my hands as soon as I get home!  People carry all kinds of germs whether they realize it or not.  Even the healthiest person you know can unwittingly give you some spectacular germy gift!  So, after any kind of social event, whether it be eating at a restaurant, attending church, or attending a rehearsal, WASH YOUR HANDS!!

Your body needs water to fight germs and keep you healthy.  Every process in your body needs water! It takes several hours for water to hydrate at the cellular level, so it is best to drink water throughout the day, every day, rather than try to drink a lot of water right before a performance.  It’s also good to “note” that caffeine and alcohol are diuretics and will take water out of your body.

I am always telling my children that sleep is the best medicine.  Getting a good amount of sleep every night will help your immune system.  If you are feeling drained of energy or like you are getting sick, sleep a bit more!

Vocal rest is also helpful when you are a bit under the weather.  Vocal rest consists of 15-30 minute rest periods in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

Daily vitamins are also helpful for keeping your immune system in good shape.  My favorite is Garden of Life Raw One for Women.

Dealing with ALLERGIES

When allergies strike, I up my zinc and Vitamin C!  My favorite is Emergen C+ packets. My body seems to really like these over the chewable versions.  I don’t know why, but that’s what my body likes!

I’ve always had a not so good reaction to evergreen trees.  I can’t even have a real Christmas tree in our house! During the times of the year when the evergreens are sending their pollens into the air, I find that Texas Cedar Fever from Allergena is extremely helpful for me.  I do have some friends who say it does nothing for them, so it’s something you just have to try for yourself.

If I can’t get relief from my allergies, I use Allegra.  I find it is less drying for me than other allergy medications I have found on the market.

If I think I’m getting sick, I like to take Solaray Oil of Oregano capsules.  These things are amazing for me! They are great at fighting off viruses. I have tried other oil of oregano capsules, but these are my favorite.  I even give them to my children if I think they are getting a virus.

A few years ago, I had multiple sinus and ear infections in a row.  My doctor ask me to try the Garden of Life Sinus Support supplements.  I was skeptical at first, but I am a believer in this stuff. I don’t know how it works, but I just add these supplements to my daily regiment of vitamins during allergy season and it truly cuts down on the number of infections I get.

STUFFY NOSE

If my nasal cavity is stopped up, I know that I won’t have the resonance in my voice when I sing.  I also know that my range will be limited as one needs their nasal cavity clear for certain parts of their range.  I have tried many nasal rinse products through the years, but the NeilMed Nasal Rinse bottle is by far my favorite.

If I still feel stuffy and my ears feel like they are getting clogged up a bit, I like to use Musinex DM.  I have many singer friends who swear by taking Musinex DM one hour before they sing that it greatly helps their performance.  I personally only take it when I feel stopped up.

SCRATCHY THROAT

If I feel stuffy with a scratchy throat, I will first turn to the liquid Robitussin DM.  I really like the way it coats my throat. Now… you can’t take Musinex DM and Robitussin DM at the same time.  They are the same type of product, but when my voice is scratchy, I don’t mind carrying a bottle of Robittusin DM around in my purse so I can take some every 4 hours!

Dr. Tichenor’s Anticeptic Peppermint Mouthwash is amazing if you have some sort of tonsilitis.  My doctor told me to use it and it works! I have used this during a show before. My voice would be so incredibly scratchy and hoarse.  I would gargle this and sound normal for just long enough to do what I needed! It is very concentrated, so read the directions carefully.  I have also heard that mouthwash does the same thing, but I haven’t tried mouthwash.

Many of my singer friends swear by Throat Coat herbal tea.  I have used it, but didn’t really notice a difference.

If my ears won’t drain, I know I won’t be able to hear correctly and will most likely sing flat.  YIKES!! When my ears still won’t drain after taking Musinex DM or I start to feel a bit of discomfort in my ears, I will take a 12 hour Pseudophedrine during the day.  You can only get this at the pharmacy counter and you have to show them your driver’s license.

EXTRA HYDRATION

There are a few tricks you can use if you still need some extra hydration before singing.

• Eat an apple 1 hour before a performance
  • Apples can help break up the mucus and can help give you added hydration, but it takes them about an hour to work.
• Suck on gummy bears
• Ricola Cherry Honey Herbal Throat Drops
  • I’ll even put these between my teeth and bottom lip sometimes while I sing!
• Steam
  • Rather than boiling water in a pot over the stove, you can now get a portable personal steam inhaler!  I haven’t tried them yet, but will make a video when I do!!
  • I also live in an area that typically has 90% humidity! So, I don’t normally need a humidifier.
• Entertainer’s Secret Throat Spray
  • This stuff was a life saver for me singing the Soprano 1 part in the Beethoven’s 9th Symphony several years ago.