Doctor warns: You treat your voice like no athlete would treat their body

A doctor is urging people to treat their voices with more care, drawing a parallel to how athletes meticulously care for their bodies. "We would not expect an athlete from another sport to run a marathon without preparation or warm-up. Yet, this is precisely what we expect from our voice every day," noted A. Pečeliūnienė.

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We would not expect an athlete from another sport to run a marathon without preparation or warm-up. Yet, this is precisely what we expect from our voice every day.

Pečeliūnienė, who consults for soloists at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre and other prominent performers, emphasizes that a sustainable and long-lasting voice is not merely an innate talent. Instead, it is the outcome of diligent, daily work and attention. She observes that a voice can age prematurely, but conversely, it can also remain youthful, depending entirely on daily choices.

"The voice remembers everything. Everything accumulates, everything adds up: environmental irritants, micro-traumas, another smoked cigarette, another conversation in noisy or smoky environments. But good things also accumulate," the doctor explained. Hoarseness or voice loss can be more than a temporary inconvenience. A Harvard University study indicated that severe, long-term hoarseness can negatively impact a person's quality of life even more than losing sight in one eye. This is because the voice directly influences social and professional interactions; research suggests that people unconsciously attribute negative character traits to hoarse speakers, listen less, and lose patience.

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The voice remembers everything. Everything accumulates, everything adds up: environmental irritants, micro-traumas, another smoked cigarette, another conversation in noisy or smoky environments. But good things also accumulate.

Furthermore, the voice is highly sensitive to emotional states. "Do you notice your voice trembling, cracking, or simply disappearing during stress or excitement?" Pečeliūnienė asks. She explains that approximately a quarter of the population are "throat reactors." Under stress, they may even experience difficulties with swallowing or breathing. To regain control quickly before an important presentation or exam, Pečeliūnienė suggests a simple exercise: place your palm on the front of your neck and say any word, such as "Login." If you feel tension, refocus on your body and allow your muscles to relax. "Remember: the voice often needs not more pressure, but relaxation and connection with your body," she advises.

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Do you notice your voice trembling, cracking, or simply disappearing during stress or excitement?

Dispelling myths about voice hygiene, the health specialist refutes the common belief that professional singers or speakers should avoid sports. Physical activity and correct posture, where the head's axis aligns with the body's, are fundamental to a healthy voice. Pečeliūnienė also addresses a frequent question: "What should I use to lubricate my vocal cords?" She clarifies that anything swallowed goes directly into the esophagus, not the airway, so vocal cords cannot be directly lubricated by lozenges or liquids. However, lozenges (especially those containing hyaluronic acid) and inhaling plain water vapor play a crucial role in moisturizing the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.

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Remember: the voice often needs not more pressure, but relaxation and connection with your body.