The Do's and Don'ts of Vocal Health
Do
• Consume a variety of nutritious foods, beverages, and vitamins
• Attain and maintain physical fitness with regular aerobic and muscle
toning workouts
• Obtain sufficient rest, sleep, and recreation
• Maintain a humid living environment (40-50 percent humidity)
• Maintain body hydration by drinking 7 to 9 glasses of water daily
• Use efficient vocal technique in speech and singing
• Use the voice judiciously
• Wash hands frequently
Don't
• Inhale or ingest harmful substances such as caffeine, alcohol, recre
ational drugs, tobacco, and polluted air
• Pursue an overly stressful lifestyle
• Make physical contact with persons who have contagious diseases
• Work or live in noisy, polluted environments
• Speak too much or too loudly, especially in noisy environments
• Scream or clear the throat too much
• Use over-the-counter preparations for colds and allergies, especially
antihistamines
