VOICE FEELING DRY?!? TRY THIS...

DRY THROAT SUCKS!!!

We’ve all been there, waking up with a dry throat that makes your voice sound hoarse, feeling parched throughout the day, or struggling to hit those high notes at a gig because your throat feels like sandpaper. Here’s the deal; your voice is a water-based instrument and without enough “watering,” a dry throat is inevitable. The good news? There are plenty of ways to keep your voice hydrated and performing at its best.

 

Understanding the Problem

Your vocal cords are coated with a thin layer of clear, watery mucus that keeps them lubricated and functioning smoothly. When you’re dehydrated, your body prioritizes water for other vital organs, leaving your throat dry and irritated. This is why you might feel dry yet still cough up thick mucus. There’s not enough water to keep that mucus thin and clear. Fortunately, there are several strategies to combat dryness...

 

Drink More Water

The most obvious solution is often the best, drink more water. For singers and speakers, I recommend drinking at least one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. So, if you weigh 200 pounds, aim for 200 ounces of water each day. That’s over a gallon and a half! If you’re not used to drinking this much, start small and gradually increase your intake.

And let’s clear up a myth... drinking over a gallon of water a day won’t alter your blood chemistry unless you’re consuming an extreme amount. Personally, I drink about two gallons a day, even though I weigh around 175 pounds, and I’ve never had an issue. Remember, other beverages like coffee, juice, and soda don’t count toward your water intake. Pure water is the only liquid that hydrates your body without being digested as food.

 

Use a Humidifier

Another effective way to stay hydrated is by using a humidifier. When I used to tour for television shows and vocal workshops, I always traveled with a portable humidifier. Attaching any water bottle to it, I’d let it run all night and wake up with my voice feeling refreshed. Without it, especially after long flights, I’d often feel dry. A humidifier adds moisture to the air, keeping your vocal cords happy.

 

Nebulizers and Hot Steamers

Nebulizers and hot facial steamers are  great tools for keeping your voice smooth and hydrated. Products like MyVocalMist and MyPurMist are popular among singers, but even a basic hot facial steamer from Vicks can do the trick. Nebulizers and steamers are particularly effective because they deliver moisture directly to your vocal cords, providing quick relief when you need it most.

 

Showering and Mist Inhaling

One of my favorite hydration hacks is taking a hot shower while doing vocal warm-ups. The steam helps to loosen and hydrate your vocal cords. After showering, I’ll often leave the water running to create a mini steam room, soaking up the moisture for as long as possible. This trick has saved me in dry climates, like when I performed in Bahrain. Despite drinking plenty of water and using a humidifier, the extreme heat left my voice parched, but a quick steam session brought it back to life.

Back in my club days, I carried a small spray bottle filled with water. When the smoke-filled venues made my throat dry, I’d discreetly mist my mouth to stay hydrated, a technique I still recommend.

 

DoctorVox: The Ultimate Hydration Hack

I saved the best for last: the DoctorVox. This tool is a game-changer for singers on the go. The DoctorVox features two curved tubes: one long tube for vocalizing and one short tube for mist inhaling. By adding hot tap water to the bottle and inhaling through the short tube, you create a soothing steam effect for your vocal cords. Even room temperature water works, pulling water molecules into your trachea and coating your vocal cords.

A word of caution: never add boiling water to your DoctorVox, as it can melt the bottle. And remember, it’s not dishwasher safe either.

There you have it, multiple ways to conquer a dry throat. While these tips will keep your voice hydrated, remember that dryness can also be caused by allergies, reflux, or other issues, which I’ll cover in future articles.

Stay hydrated,

Your DoctorVox coach,  

Jaime Vendera