Optimal Voice Health (Part 1)

Every profession has a set of "tools of the trade" that they need to look after and keep working well.  Carpenters have hammers and bench-saws, painters have paints and palettes, and farmers have tractors and plows (ploughs).

As Learning & Development Professionals we have many tools of the trade that are crucial to our success.  One of the most important of these is our voice, because let’s face it:

Just as farmers need to look after their tractors to make sure they're in great working order, as Trainers and Facilitators we need to look after our voice to make sure it's in optimal condition and can support us day after day.

Here are some great tips to help you look after your voice in the training environment:

• Before you start your training session practice using smiling and yawning as warm up exercises.
• When you're delivering training become aware of emphasizing and completing the final syllable of every word you say. Don't drop the "ing","ed","s","th" or "ng" sounds at the end of words. This will encourage you to support your voice with your breath through to the end of each word.  It will also improve your diction.
• Pause regularly while training to catch your breath and relax your voice.
• Always have room-temperature water handy when you're training or presenting. Your mouth and throat can get dry from talking a lot, so regularly sipping room temperature water can help this. Room temperature is best, because chilled water can actually do the opposite, constricting your vocal cords and your throat.
• To expand your lungs, and support your voice, gently, but quickly Inhale through your nose keeping your mouth closed.  You should feel your lungs expand. Practicing expanding your lung capacity can make a major difference to your voice use.
• Outside the training room, avoid unnecessary yelling, screaming or throat clearing as this can do damage to your voice. Swallow or take a sip of water rather than clearing your throat.
• Reduce or avoid substances that dehydrate your voice. This includes tea, coffee, alcohol and salty foods.  Yes, I know, I know – reducing these can be challenging, but they truly can make a big difference – especially if your voice is tired. 

Even if you only practice a few of these tips, you'll find your voice feels much healthier and has better stamina and endurance.

Of course if you lose your voice or suffer serious voice degradation when you train, or if you become aware of any other vocal problems make sure you seek medical advice.

It's a great idea for any voice professional, such as trainers, facilitators and even consultants to make it a project to learn to use their voice better.  A great way to do this is to book an appointment with a speech therapist or professional voice coach. This will help you set up great vocal habits and avoid doing any damage.

Remember, you only get one voice and it really is a crucal "tool of your trade", so make sure you take the time now to look after it. That way it will look after you for years to come...

Make sure you read our second tip
"Optimal Voice Health (Part 2)"
to help you with your voice

Here are some great books that you can use to help with your voice use: 

1. Voice Power: Using Your Voice to Captivate, Persuade, and Command Attention
2. The Voice Book: Caring For, Protecting, and Improving Your Voice