Did you know that different climates affect your voice, even if you aren't a voice actor?
Did you know that different climates affect your voice, even if you aren't a voice actor?
Calgary, like Denver, has a high, dry, alpine climate. Average humidity indoors is often less than 50%. Outdoor is often 60% or lower – and that’s after a month of twice the average rainfall!
I noticed yesterday that my voice was cracking or a bit more “textured/gravelly” than usual as I was recording. First thing I thought of was “Right! I have to drink water – not JUST coffee.” 🙃
So keep a few things in mind every day in hot or cold dry environments.
Hydration Is Essential
- Drink plenty of **room-temperature water** throughout the day. Avoid cold beverages and opt for warm drinks like non-caffeinated herbal teas with honey for extra soothing benefits.
- Incorporate hydrating foods (like cucumbers or watermelon) into your diet. In extreme dry climates, hydration should be a full-day focus.
- Use a humidifier.
Warm Up and Cool Down Your Voice
- Perform **vocal warm-ups**—like gentle humming, lip trills, and “sirens”—before any recording.
- In cold settings, increase the duration/intensity of warm-ups since muscles and vocal folds take longer to adjust[1].
- After long sessions/presentations, give your voice a “vocal nap” for a while. Think 30 minutes to an hour.
Optimize Your Environment
- Clean radiators, air filters, and studio equipment regularly to avoid dust.
- Add water bowls or humidifiers to workspaces to supplement air moisture. This actually works!
Lifestyle and Recovery
- Get plenty of sleep—fatigue leads to poor breath support and vocal strain.
- Avoid smoking, duh.
- Don’t whisper or shout: Both can cause significant strain or damage to your vocal folds. Though sometimes, when you’re THAT person in a video game or animated production…you’ve gotta do it. That’s when the idea of a vocal nap becomes super important for recovery.
That’s a capsule version of great advice received over the years that you can apply. Happy gabbing!