046 How to Keep Your Voice Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

This is a question I get asked a lot: what is better for my vocal health, steaming or nebulising? You'll learn the difference between them, how they affect the vocal tract and the voice, and how to do them properly. I also share my nebulising and steaming routines, which moment of the day is better for each of them, and more. What You'll Learn In This Episode:The differences between steaming and nebulisingWhat hot steam and cold droplets do to your voice and your vocal tractWhich one of the two is the best option to hydrate your vocal cordsThe risks of nebulising and steamingNic's nebulising and steaming routineWhether you want to relax after a long day of work, or to start your day and eliminate the croaky morning voice, you’ll find benefits in steaming or nebulising. So which one will you choose? Resources:Buy my Book Get a voice tips freebie! - Newsletter - Nic RedmanNebuliser scienceVocal MistJoin The Voice & Accent Hub Follow me on Instagram

Are you one of those who "can't find the time" to do a proper voice warm up? If so, listen to today's episode, because I'll teach you how your vocal warm up can actually help you save time and how to blend it with your morning routines and holistic practices.What You'll Learn In This Episode:Warming up your voice can help you spend less time editingHow vocal warm ups can help you expand your vocal potentialThe benefits of blending vocal warm ups with any holistic practicesWarming up your voice is about reminding your vocal cords about their true potential. It is the time to show your voice the pitches, the highs and lows it can reach, the tonal changes, the depth, the range, and the emotions it can express. Resources:Subscribe to The Fold https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/ Get my book https://nicolaredman.com/on-the-mic-book/ Join The Voice & Accent Hub https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthub

This week, I'm sharing five of the most common mistakes I see people making in their speaking voice warm ups. I'll explain why you shouldn't extend your warm ups for too long, improvise and go without a plan or focus exclusively on your vocal folds. I’ll also share my thoughts on singing to warm your voice, starting your routine with tongue twisters, and much more. What You'll Learn In This Episode:What happens to your voice when you stretch your vocal warm up too muchThe issue with starting your warm ups with a tongue twisterHow planning your warm ups can help you get the best out of themThe truth about singing to warm up your voicePaying attention to the whole body when warming up your voiceWarming up your voice is crucial for your long-term vocal maintenance and care. It benefits your voice, your body as a whole and even your soul. That is one more reason to make it an enjoyable part of your routine and not a long and unpleasant session of total discomfort. Resources mentioned:Join the waitlist for my upcoming book - https://nicolaredman.com/book-waitlist/Receive my Newsletter - The Fold: https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/Join The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/nicredvoice

In today's episode, I'll answer why your voice gets to a higher pitch whenever you are nervous or emotional, and how to gain more control over it in these situations. I'll also share three things you can do to counteract the effect of those emotions in your voice, which will help you in the moment of speaking itself. What You Will Learn In This Episode:Why your voice changes when the nerves kick in How tension affects your voice pitchHow warmups and body stretches can help you control your voice pitchThe importance of staying grounded while speakingSo warmups, stretching and increasing your grounding and stability are great ways of helping yourself to reduce the moments when you feel trapped in a higher pitch, or when your expressive range is reduced. Resources:Join the Vocal Empowerment Programme https://bit.ly/empowermyvoice Episode 012 How To Do A Spine Roll and Prepare the Body for Voice Work: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/012-how-to-do-a-spine-roll-and-prepare-the-body-for-voice-work/id1551530536?i=1000512028187 Join Vocally Free for 2023: https://nicolaredman.com/vocally-free-for-2023/Receive my Newsletter - The Fold: Newsletter - Nic Redman

In this episode, I'll share my top tips to prevent reflux during the holiday season. You'll also learn how reflux affects your voicing, how to adjust your routine to avoid experiencing it throughout the year, and more. What Is Covered:What is Laryngopharyngeal reflux and how can it affect your voiceHow to avoid experiencing reflux during the holidaysThe benefits of having your meals as early as you canHow to use gravity in your favour to prevent refluxThe benefits of hydration, proper rest and healthy eating habitsTo avoid experiencing the voice-crippling effects of reflux, you need to adopt a holistic approach to taking care of your health. Every bit counts, from proper rest to hydration, a balanced and healthy diet, and lowering stress. Resources:Join Vocally Free for 2023: https://nicolaredman.com/voice-masterclasses-2023/ Receive my Newsletter - The Fold: https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/ 074 The Vocal Empowerment Series - Nic’s Chat to Tor Spence of VoiceFitUK

This week, I bring some tips to enjoy yourself during the holiday season and take care of your voice at the same time. You’ll learn how to be ready for your end-of-the-year voice gigs, avoid getting sick and conduct yourself at parties without risking the health of your voice.What Is Covered:How to be vocally ready for the end of the year party seasonWhat I did wrong during the last holiday and how it affected my workWhy you should drink water before, during, and after every social eventHow avoiding late snacks can improve your voice's healthWhy you should always create space for a wee warm upOne of the best things you can do for your vocal health is to cool down, switch off, and indulge yourself a bit. However, finding the sweet spot between enjoyment and responsibility is your duty as a professional. With proper care and conscious use of your voice, you can enjoy your end of the year gigs and your well deserved rest and enjoyment. Resources:Sign up to my Newsletter: Newsletter - Nic RedmanJoin The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubv Follow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/nicredvoice

This week, I'll share six gift options you can give your voiceover artist, podcaster, or voice-dubber friend this Christmas. From voice-caring devices to performance enhancers, you can rely on this wishlist to save you and your loved one from that awkward moment when they open their presents to find a pair of socks.What You Will Learn In This Episode:- The multiple benefits a quality nebulizer has to offer- A voice straw is an excellent option for enhancing your warm-up routines- How to upgrade your hydration game with smart bottles- Use a voice warm-up card deck to save you and your friends from warm up-boredomResources:- The Voice Deck https://nicolaredman.com/voice-coach/the-voice-deck/- Voiceover Career Planner https://www.thevosocial.com/product-page/the-voiceover-career-planner-by-the-vo-social- SOVT straw https://www.rayvox.co.uk/?ref=NICREDMAN- Nebuliser https://myvocalmist.com/en-gb/products/vocalmist-portable-nebulizeror https://lloydspharmacy.com/products/beurer-ih55-nebulise- Episode 024 Using Straw Phonation to Enhance Your Vocal Warm Up  https://pod.fo/e/cfe44- Join The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubv - Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoice

This week, to keep things on the book recommendation trail going, I'll share three non-voice books you should add to your library to help you improve your voice training journey. What We Cover:- Understand the marks trauma has left in your body with The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk- The more you learn about breathing, the better. Master your breathing with Breathe in, Breathe Out by Stuart Sandeman- Encourage better and more productive habits with Atomic Habits by James ClearAlthough these books aren't voice training related, they can definitely add valuable skills and tools that'll make your voice quality better. Resources:- Join "The Fold", - my bi-monthly Newsletter: Newsletter - Nic Redman- Your Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Body-Keeps-Score-Transformation-Trauma/dp/0141978619/- Breathe in, Breathe Out by Stuart Sandeman: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breathe-Out-practical-management-improved/dp/0008475377/- Atomic Habits by James Clear: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/1847941834/- Join The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubv - Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoice

In today's short and sweet episode, I'll go through five of my favourite books for voice training. You'll learn about really accessible, easy-to-follow and practical resources with plenty of voice exercises and science-based recommendations. What You Will Learn:- How to approach your voicing holistically with Finding Your Voice by Barbara Houseman- Learn to improve your voice's daily care with Everyday Voice Care by Joanna Cazden- Get hundreds of voice exercises from Voicework by Christina Shewell- Learn everything you need to know about articulation from The Moment of Speech by Annie MorrisonResources: - Finding You Voice by Barbara Houseman: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Your-Voice-step-step-ebook/dp/B016YAOLOA- Everyday Voice Care by Joanna Cazden: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everyday-Voice-Care-Lifestyle-Singers-ebook/dp/B00BFUOZW8/- Voicework by Christina Shewell: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voice-Work-Science-Changing-Voices-ebook/dp/B00DAB8HCE/- This Is a Voice by Jeremey Fisher, Gillyanne Kayes, and Cerys Matthews: https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Voice-exercises-project-harness/dp/1999809025/- The Moment of Speech by Annie Morrison: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Moment-Speech-Creative-Articulation-Actors/dp/1350107921/- Join The Voice & Accent Hub: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevoiceandaccenthubv - Sign up to my newsletter https://nicolaredman.com/newsletter/- Follow me on Instagram instagram.com/nicredvoice

What to do when you are called last minute for a voice gig, to host a meeting or get interviewed, and you don't have much time to go through a proper voice warm up but still want to sound fantastic? Today is your lucky day, because I'll teach you 5 exercises to warm up dead quick. What You Will Learn In This Episode:- The three main areas every warm up routine should focus on- The benefits of shaking your body before a voice gig- How to eliminate the shaky and nervous voice ton- How to glide up and down your vocal range- The benefits of slug tongue and underwater speakingThe excitement of getting interviewed and telling your story can cause unnecessary tension in your vocal tract that, on top of making you sound weird, can damage your voice. These 5 quick exercises can help you prevent that, and they're an excellent option for pre-speaking gigs or social networking events. Resources: - Buy a Voice Deck for more warm up inspo https://nicolaredman.com/voice-coach/the-voice-deck/ - Send me your voice problems! https://nicolaredman.com/contact/