5 actions to manage vocal fatigue

Mélanie Champelovier – Natural Talent Coaching & Training

The voice is the sound reflection of our state, and sometimes expresses our fatigue.

“ “The voice is the interpreter of the heart and soul, an expression of truth and the most tender feelings.” - George Sand. 😉

Through subtle changes and variations, it is possible to hear our pains through the body and also through the voice.

The timbre, resonators, mucous membranes, vibrations, and breath are weakened, and the voice fades or gets stuck.

So how can we manage vocal fatigue? Especially if you need to express, speak, sing, or recite, and on top of that, it’s the big day—the day of your oral exam, your concert, your meeting, or your conference!

At the first signs, rest your voice (and if you must speak, don’t whisper, as this requires much more effort from our muscles than speaking normally).).

1 – ACCEPT YOUR CURRENT STATE

This means accepting fear, anxiety, fatigue, anger, sadness, joy—whatever you are feeling in the moment. Acceptance allows the emotion to be experienced and thus to pass, rather than remain trapped in the body.

2 – BREATHE TO RELAX AND OXYGENATE YOUR BODY

First of all, DON’T PANIC and RELAX! Yes, breathe (by relaxing your shoulders and expanding your belly). A good "Aummmmmm" is welcome to help you relax and release all your tension.

Now, start scanning your body from head to toe and take care of each of your cells!

Allow the parasympathetic nerve to do its job and calm your sympathetic nerve. 😉

Your body is now relaxing, and it’s possible that yawning will occur. This will relax your jaw, unblock your ears, regulate the pressure in your eardrums, stimulate your blood flow, and help send fresher blood to your brain. 🙂

3 – DRINK WATER 

Your vocal cords are mucous membranes that need to be well hydrated throughout the day to vibrate properly.

4 –  ENGAGE IN AN ACTIVITY THAT RELAXES YOU

Choose an activity that relaxes you, not one that excites you. An activity that helps you stay in the present moment.

5 – BE IN CONGRUENCE WITH WHAT YOU’RE SAYING ( (words from the heart come out more easily, are truthful, and oh, miraculously, the voice regains energy!)

In case of emergency: DARE to ask for what will help you feel more comfortable with a tired voice (for example: "I have a tired voice today, would it be possible to have three large glasses of water? or to reschedule my oral, meeting?" You might be pleasantly surprised by the response ;)). Or: “I’ve prepared a recording, a PowerPoint, because my voice fades at times.” Speak a little more with your hands or delegate if possible!

Take nice deep breaths and let your exhalations rebalance and restore energy to your body, to your voice!

FINALLY, BE KIND TO YOURSELF 🙂