Tips from a *cough* vocalist…Achoo!

As performers, we have all been there! That dreaded moment when it’s the morning of a performance… and you’re sick. I loved reading The Mothering Actor’s take on auditioning while sick (You should definitely check it out HERE!).

I woke up yesterday morning with a croupy cough and a hoarse voice. Considering I had a vocalist gig to prepare for last night, it was definitely not a good time to be sick (when is it??). The performance was for a private party, so there was no way I could cancel it, and after all- the show must go on!

Here are some of the remedies I tried to get my voice back to snuff before the gig. By the time I went on to perform that night, my voice was at least 90% back to normal!

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• Throat Coat Tea
  I have mentioned Throat Coat Tea in a previous blog post. This tea works wonders for me.I have been using it for years. It contains Licorice Root, Slippery Elm Bark, and many other natural ingredients to coat and soothe your throat. It’s best to cover the cup and let the tea bag steep for 10-15 minutes before drinking. I like to add honey for added benefit, and you could also pop in a throat lozenge.

  
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• Lemon Juice & Honey
  Pour 2-3 teaspoons of honey in a mug, add the juice from one lemon (in a pinch, I have also used bottled lemon juice), and pop the mixture into the microwave for a few seconds until warm. This really helps cut through any “gunk”/drainage you may have in your throat.

  
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• Pain Reliever
  When I have a cold, I am a total wuse. No matter how naturally I was trying to live before, I immediately reach for Ibuprofen when I have a cold. It definitely helped me with those body aches, head pains, and discomfort.

  
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• Hot Water & Throat Lozenges
  When I arrived at the gig, I ordered a cup of hot water and dropped in a throat lozenge. The hot water releases the goodness of the lozenge, and it makes a sort of tea in itself. This was a nice, simple mixture to sip before and during the gig.

Stay well, and let me know if you have any remedies for a cold or seasonal allergies!