Losing your voice is considered disastrous whenever you have to prepare for an upcoming gig. Generally unavoidable, voice lost is caused by variable factors including infection caused by common cold virus, strain on vocal cords caused by excessive yelling, and reflux caused by stomach acid. For more on possible causes, refer to the post on Few Things that Could Harm Your Singing Voice. Fortunately, there are always remedies, but you cannot rely on any as quick fix. In any situation, whether you have an upcoming performance or periods of rest, here are some tips on restoring your singing voice:
Rest without whisper: Having more rest is not only necessary to recover from sickness, fatigue or any ailments, but it also lets your vocal cords to recover from any damage. During this time, you should refrain from using your voice, including avoiding any conversation, skipping vocal practice, and whispering. Whispering can be as worse as shouting, but if you have to talk, do so normally and briefly.
Hydrate to lubricate: Drinking plenty of room-temperature water is good enough to consistently lubricate your throat and water can flush any unwanted toxin out of your system. Additionally, you can treat yourself to some herbal tea and fruit juices. While they might be helpful, you want to watch for and avoid drinks that can cause acid reflux.
Eat with care: Just like drinks, you also want to avoid or minimize spicy food intake, since it can not only cause acid reflux, but can also burn your throat, which makes it difficult to sing higher notes. Minimizing the effects of discomfort food, avoid going to bed not long after you have your dinner or avoid eating late entirely. For more about healthy consumption and healthy diet, check out Important Nutrition to Maintain Vocal Health.
Relax with therapy: While you are resting at home, get yourself a bowl and fill it with hot water. Then sit back and relax as you breathe the steam out of that bowl. Another relaxing therapy is taking a hot shower, which is also a good opportunity to soothe your vocal cords.
Warm up gently: If you have to prepare for an upcoming show, gently warm up your voice by doing simple humming and lip rolls. When you find your voice weakening or tightening, take a break and repeat the process again without forcing yourself. Then, an hour before the performance, practice the simple vocal exercises again by gradually running through the scales.
Whichever remedies you rely on, it generally takes time for you to recover your vocal strength. For certain vocal health issues, you may want to consult a specialized doctor (ENT) just to be sure. Consulting with a vocal coach/singing teacher like Brett Manning in Singing Success is considered the best source since he/she can relay an experience of having to perform under sickness. If your voice is not cooperating with you even after simple vocal exercises, it's better to call off your appointment right away. Then, get yourself comfortable and recover with a twist.
Water and plants are two elements of nature that should cover the basics of nutrition. This does not mean that aspiring singers should all become vegetarians. Even if you are a vegetarian, you still need proteins, vitamins, and fat, which most people can easily get from meat and poultry. Whether you eat meat or just veggies, proper nutrition with above elements is vital for your development as a better and stronger singer. So, let's take a look at some elements of important nutrition that can help you to maintain vocal health:
Water: Not many of us can follow the general recommendation of drinking 8-10 glasses every day, but you want to at least drink enough to hydrate your throat consistently. It depends on how much you utilize your voice other than singing. Other than water, drinking various herbal teas, fresh fruit-juices and any non-alcoholic & non-caffeinated beverages will help protect your vocal folds.
