Vocal Tip: The fall is just beginning…
And with it- fall allergies. Many of us get that nasty post nasal drip- sending extra gunk onto our vocal chords. When our vocal folds can’t close evenly we experience gravel, or even gaps in our range. What can we do about it?
We can clear our throat ( gently please ) … And drink extra water ( always good), but how can we get rid of it?
My Doctor prescribed Flonaise- a nasal spray. I have since learned that all antihistamines can be habit forming. They also often dry you out – the worst thing for a vocalist.
Fear sends our bodies into ” fight or flight” mode. The hypothalamus tells certain systems to shut down to give attention to adrenalin and those extra sharp senses and strength needed for battle. Cortisol levels are boosted in the blood.
These reactions are good when we are in a crisis… But when we live in this state because of job and family stresses, lack of sleep etc our immune system begins to suffer. And we gain less and less resistance to our environmental stressors… Like the trees and and plants that bother our sinuses!
Sleep and good nutrition will strengthen our immune systems, water will help to flush the antigens away; but changing what is stressing you and changing how we handle it in our minds may be the greatest vocal help of all.
The scriptures tell us to “Take every thought captive,” – 2 Corinthians 10:5
When fear or stress comes, how do we deal with it? Let’s say I am about to sing at church ( or anywhere) and I am not prepared enough to be totally comfortable. I feel the nerves rising in my belly. ( Yes, preparation is vital, but if you perform a lot, you know, life can be crazy and sometimes you just didn’t have the time). I have a choice: Give in to it and get more scared, get a stomach ache, even intestinal cramps and the runs, sweaty palms, the shakes… Let the the thoughts run wild into ” what if….” Or I can capture that thought- STOP! I will give my heart to this and trust God to do the rest!
If you are anxious about a relationship, or finding a job or losing a job or afraid of poverty or whatever is causing anxiety… Capture those thoughts. Don’t agree with the evil accusations they bring with them.
2 Timothy 1:7 says that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of love and power and a sound mind!
Anxiety also raises the acid level in your body messing up your PH balance further depleting your immune system and irritating your vocal folds with acid reflux!
If you are a praying vocalist, put your fears and stresses before God. He promises that if we take everything to him through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving that he will give us that peace that transcends understanding! (Philippians 4:6-7)
We can even deny our symptoms at times and just not give in to them. Have you ever felt a cold coming on and you said: “I have no time to be sick right now!” Then when vacation comes you collapse? But if we don’t take care of ourselves- body and soul it can catch up to us,
So you feel some fall allergies dripping down your throat threatening your next gig? Get some sleep, drink some water and take every thought captive- and with that peace may also come a clear powerful voice!