How to Improve the Quality of Your Voice

People think about taking care of the health of their bodies, eyes, teeth and even ears, but it's just as important to take care of your voice. Whether you're a speaker, singer or just want to take pride in your voice, it's essential to care for your voice and do what you can to improve its quality.

Instructions

1. Drink lots of water and avoid things that contain alcohol or caffeine. Your vocal cords need lots of hydration to perform at their best and alcohol and caffeine are diuretics that dry them out and cause irritation on the surface.

2. Eat a healthy diet following the food pyramid and look for foods rich in vitamins A, E and C, which keep mucus membranes in the throat healthy and help improve the quality of your vocal cords.

3. Practice good posture and do daily exercises to improve the muscle tone in your abdomen, back, shoulders and chest, which all help to improve your posture. This allows your lungs to open up, giving maximum airflow to your voice and making breathing easier.

4. Use saltwater to gargle if you feel a tickle in your throat, but do so sparingly, as too much salt on the vocal cords can harm the quality of your voice. The saltwater solution helps to break down any mucus or other irritants in the throat and aren't as damaging as alcohol rinses.

5. Seek medical advice if you notice changes to your voice like deepening, inability to hit high notes that you once could or if you suddenly become hoarse and raspy. If there is a medical condition causing these symptoms and it's left untreated you risk permanent damage to your voice.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid spicy foods, which cause acid from the stomach to travel up towards the throat causing irritation.

• Avoid any mouthwash or gargle containing alcohol.