Keeping your voice healthy on the go

Whether you’re a touring artist or simply traveling, keeping your voice healthy on the go is vital. 

UPDATED 28/8/23

From my own experience being on the road with Synthony and L.A.B, touring locally and internationally, I’ve learned some crucial tips that can help you sound your best, even in challenging conditions.

My Touring Reality

While touring can appear glamorous, the reality can be far different.

Meals might be greasy takeout, and transportation can be uncomfortable. These situations require performers to be vigilant about their health, especially vocal health.

Top 5 Tips for Vocal Health On-The-Go

Tip 1: Stay Hydrated with Refillable Bottles

   – **Recommended:** Brita Fill & Go – BPA free and cost-effective. 

   – Why? Pass through customs easily, just refill post-security.

   – **Alternative:** Double-wall insulated bottles like Oasis.

– **Tip 2: Use a Steamer/Vaporizer for Vocal Hydration**

   – **Recommended:** MyPurmist Steamer – an invaluable investment for every professional singer.

   – Why? Offset the drying effects of air travel.

   – **Alternative:** Vicks Vaporizer for voice steaming and room humidification.

– **Tip 3: Keep Lozenges Handy**

   – **Recommended:** Comvita Manuka Honey lozenges – natural relief for colds and sore throats.

   – **Alternative:** Grether’s Pastilles – ideal for moistening your mouth.

– **Tip 4: Prioritize Quality Sleep**

   – Must-haves: Neck pillow, earplugs, and an eye mask. Consider Comfort Upgrade Kits from Kathmandu or make custom ones for a personal touch.

– **Tip 5: Engage in Regular Exercise**

   – Movement is vital. Walking, stretching, or HIIT can aid in sleep and stress relief.

   – Gear up in comfy clothes like Nike training attire, which is perfect for travel and workouts.

Need additional tips? Check out my post on Vocal Health Tips for Singers

NB: Links to where you can buy these are below. All are referring to NZ sites. I’ve tried to link you to affordable quality brands & suppliers that I use & trust.

Keeping your voice healthy on the go – tip 1:

The refillable water bottle

I like to use the double-wall insulated drink bottles so I can have hot or cold drinks on hand.

I have tried a few and this Oasis one is my fave.

Keeping your voice healthy on the go – tip 2:

Steamer/Vaporiser

The latest gadget I have in my arsenal is the MyPurmist Steamer. It is a serious investment both for the steamer and the purified water that it uses. If you are a professional singer, you should definitely have one as it is SO AMAZING and worth it in my opinion.

Ideally, you would use steam for topical hydration especially if you were travelling through varying temperatures but also to offset the drying affects air travel can have on your voice.

Previously I have used the Vicks Vaporizer which is a monster to travel with (pic below vid) to steam both my voice and humidify my hotel or green room. 

Now I use the MyPurmist steamer exclusively. Check out how I use it and more info on how it works:

Vicks Vaporizer

If you travel a lot I highly recommend the Humidiflyer if want to be extra travel smart! It’s your own personal humidifier AND stops all the bugs that get trapped in planes from getting inside you!!

Keeping your voice healthy on the go – tip 3:

Lozenges

Not 100% necessary but good to have in your singers kit – Comvita Manuka Honey lozenges are my pick. An all-natural helping hand to colds or sore throats.

I also love Grether’s Pastilles (find at any good chemist) for adding moisture back to your mouth, in combination with drinking lots of water of course!

(Btw, my Singers kit consists of Liquorice tea, hand sanitiser, tissues (for sanitising my microphone before & after every use plus my hands obviously!) & salt sachets like you find at a restaurant for gargling with!

UPDATE: In recent years I have gone sugar-free so opt to salt gargle to add moisture and sanitise!

Keeping your voice healthy on the go – tip 4:

Quality sleep

This is the next must-have for singers so you need to be able to rest WHEREVER! A neck pillow, earplugs & an eye mask are INVALUABLE! I love the ones at Comfort Upgrade Kits at Kathmandu, however, I made some custom ones for my band as a tour pressie! Awwww!

Keeping your voice healthy on the go – tip 5:

Exercise

Movement & stretching are key to keeping your body in good cardiovascular & muscular condition especially when travelling (plus comfy travel clothes that double as workout gear).

Walking, stretching or HIIT (High-intensity interval training) can help loads with aiding sleep & stress relief.

I am obsessed with my Nike training gear – it’s that for everyday wear or gig gear & rarely anything in-between! Trainers & comfortable gear to travel/workout in are a must!

Singers are athletes after all! Singing is my cardio! I’m going to get a t-shirt made up with that slogan emblazoned on it!

I use these apps – Map My Walk, NTC & Nike+ Running – look on iTunes or Google Play Store to find these & many others.

That’s a pic of me in my hotel room after smashing out a run on the in-house treadmill before a gig. Unbelievable! Was my first time actually as I was in training for my first 5km!

So these are all tips I have found helped me over the past 15 or so years of touring. You don’t need to be a touring singer or even a singer to try them out.

If you are a teacher or anyone who is talking a lot as part of your day to day profession it can really help keep you & your voice well.

We all know how tricky losing one’s voice can be to our everyday lives due to overuse or intensive environmental factors.

These tips may help keep you in control of your vocal health & environment.

Check out my Daily Vocal Care Checklist for when you are at home or on the go.

I would LOVE to hear about any travel/vocal health tips I can try out or add to my arsenal or if you have any questions or thoughts please comment below.

Cherie x