Hi again podcasters! Your resident vocal coach is back! By now, I’m sure you have read my previous blogs on protecting your voice and finding confidence as a podcaster. But even with all of those awesome vocal health tips, let’s face it, your voice isn’t a superhuman instrument. If you’re not careful, it can turn from your trusty tool into a whining diva with a sore throat. So, before your voice starts demanding its own dressing room, let’s chat about preventing vocal strain for podcasters. And what to do when your vocal cords start raising some red flags.
Related reads: Want to check out some of my previous posts? Here’s one for boosting your vocal confidence, or one featuring ten vocal tips for podcasters you didn’t know you needed!
The Best Tips for Podcasters for Preventing Vocal Strain
Understanding Vocal Strain
But before we dive into how podcasters can prevent vocal strain, let’s understand vocal strain. As I’ve mentioned before, your voice is a muscle like any other. When you push your vocal cords too hard or don’t give them enough recovery time, they can get tired, cranky, and sometimes downright rebellious. Just like your calves do after an overzealous workout!
Think of it as the vocal cords throwing a tantrum because they didn’t get their much-deserved rest and recovery. Recurrent strain can lead to all sorts of unpleasant issues and even pathologies like nodules or polyps. If your voice is getting strained, you know it’s time for a vocal break! So what causes vocal strain?
Common Causes of Vocal Strain
Preventing vocal strain means knowing the common causes of vocal strain. Misuse of the voice is the most common cause of vocal strain. Imagine that your voice is a sports car. Now, imagine you’re driving it like a go-kart. That’s misuse! Speaking in an unnatural pitch can also strain your vocal cords. If your voice starts to sound ‘crackly’ or ‘scratchy’, you might be misusing it. Shouting is the most obvious no-no for vocal health but I bet you didn’t know how dangerous whispering can be too? It actually puts a lot of strain on your larynx which can lead to vocal strain.
Overusing your voice can also cause a lot of strain. If you’ve been recording more podcast episodes than usual, or if you’ve been talking more than a chatty Cathy at a reunion, overuse might be your culprit. Your vocal cords need downtime too, so try not to push them to their limits. They don’t appreciate a 24/7 work schedule. We all need a break from time to time, and that is particularly difficult for us chronic voice users who speak for a living, right? If you have been using your voice too much and are feeling strain, it’s time to slow it down!
This last possible cause of vocal strain is the most unpleasant of all and is often completely out of your control – illness. If you’re battling a cold or even in allergy season, your vocal cords are already on the struggle bus. Adding hours of podcasting on top of that is like asking a person with the flu to run a marathon. It’s just not going to end well.
So podcasters in the Northern Hemisphere, as you head into Fall and the change of season, take note!
Vocal Red Flags: Signs It’s Time for a Break
As a podcaster, your voice is important. As important, if not more, as your trusty microphone! And because your voice is so essential to your podcasting success, it’s important to know the warning signs when it comes to preventing vocal strain.
Look out for these vocal strain red flags:
- Hoarseness or Raspy Voice: If your voice sounds and feels rough and can be compared to a piece of sandpaper, chances are you are experiencing strain.
- Fatigue: When your voice feels tired and fatigued, especially if you have been using it a lot, it’s crying out for a break.
- Loss of Vocal Range or Loss of Voice Entirely: If you’re suddenly unable to hit those high notes or drop to deep, sultry tones, your cords are strained. You may even lose your voice entirely. That is a big sign it’s time for some vocal TLC.
- Throat Pain or Discomfort: My motto is: if it feels wrong, it is wrong! You should not feel discomfort in your throat and laryngeal area and any pain is a major red flag! Please see the doctor for any vocal pain.
Preventing Vocal Strain: How to Take a Vocal Break
If you’ve identified some of those vocal strain red flags when it comes to your podcasting voice, it’s time to take a break. Preventing vocal strain is vitally important! Now, taking a vocal break doesn’t have to be as dramatic as a soap opera exit. But if you are experiencing vocal strain, it is important that you do take the necessary action to give your vocal cords the TLC they need.
Here’s how to take a vocal break without your voice staging a full-blown protest:
1. Limit Speaking
Cut down on unnecessary chatter. This means no more talking to the dog like it’s a long-lost friend or narrating your day like a reality show. Save your voice for the important stuff – like podcasting (wink wink). But that doesn’t mean you should stop speaking altogether. We don’t want the muscle to atrophy.
2. Avoid Singing, Talking on the Phone, and Sending Voice Notes
Channel your inner hermit. If you’re tempted to break into song, resist. And talking on the phone or sending voice notes? Not unless it’s an emergency. Rather send a text message. When you talk over the phone, you generally do not support your voice properly so take a break for now! Who knows, maybe it will help decrease your screen time too. Bonus!
3. Steer Clear of Shouting or Whispering
Shouting is like putting your voice through a workout with weights, and whispering can strain your vocal cords just as much. If you are experiencing vocal strain, keep your volume steady and avoid extremes.
Tips for Vocal Recovery
So, you’ve given your voice a well-deserved break. Now, let’s help it bounce back like a champ. Here are some quick tips to help your vocal cords on their way to full vocal recovery.
- Stay hydrated. Water is your voice’s best friend.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol. And replace fizzy drinks with fresh ginger tea. Honey is also a natural anti-inflammatory so that is a great substitute for sweeteners!
- Make sure you steam twice a day to lubricate your voice and reduce inflammation and reflux. Boil some water and pour it into a glass or metal bowl, place a towel over your head, and breathe the steam in for about 20 minutes.
- Steer clear of irritants that may cause you to cough like smoke, alcohol, or foods that increase acid reflux.
- Keep your diet clean and your voice will thank you later!
- Prioritize vocal rest. The most important thing you can do is rest your voice. Give your vocal cords a chance to recharge. Even if you’re just hanging out, keep quiet and act as an observer for a while.
- Focus on thorough warm-ups and cool-downs. When you do get back into podcasting after your break, make sure you warm up before you record and cool down afterwards. Straw exercises are an excellent way to do this and are also a form of rehabilitation for your strained voice. For some of my top tips on those, check out this post.
Related read: Want some additional vocal exercises? Check out this post.
Vocal Strain Be Gone!
By understanding the causes of vocal strain and embracing these tips, podcasters can keep their voices from turning into a diva, and stealing the show…for all the wrong reasons! Preventing vocal strain is therefore something all podcasters should focus on. Remember, a happy voice makes for a happier podcasting experience and will only contribute to your podcast’s success. Keep your voice healthy, and your vocal cords will be ready to rock and roll whenever you are!
