7 Habits that Ruin Your Vocal Cords

Your voice speaks volumes about you. That is why no matter if you’re a singer, newscaster, actor, telemarketer, college student, business owner or professor, taking good care of your vocal cords is a must. There are certain habits that can ruin your vocal cords, thus affecting your ability to utilize your voice appropriately. Check out which of the following habits you are guilty of so you may quit doing them today and start safeguarding your voice:

Cigarette Smoking

Smoking is something that negatively impacts a lot of things in your body, and that includes your vocal cords. Smoke emitted by a lighted cigarette stick can irritate the throat. Experts say that smoking considerably increases your risk of ending up with throat cancer. Especially if you use your voice for a living, it’s a wonderful idea to quit smoking to ensure that your lungs and vocal cords stay in tip-top condition.

Related: Risk Factors for Lung Cancer

Not Drinking Enough Water

Your vocal cords vibrate at amazing speeds each time you use them. It’s for this reason why they should be kept lubricated at all times to keep friction to a minimum and irritation at bay. On a daily basis, you should consume 8 to 12 glasses of water. Including fruits and vegetables loaded with water in your diet helps ensure you are getting enough fluids.

Abusing Your Voice

Screaming or singing at the top of your lungs all the time is definitely bad for your vocal cords. It can be very exciting to attempt to belt out those high notes during karaoke parties or yell words of satisfaction or disgust while watching a game. Your vocal cords are telling you that they need some rest the moment your voice is becoming hoarse or your throat already feels dry, swollen and prickly.

Using Your Voice Non-Stop

You may regard your vocal cords as muscles that also get fatigued after some time of being used. It’s for this reason why giving your throat plenty of rests in between long speaking or singing engagements comes very importantly. Each time there’s an opportunity to rest your voice, grab it rather than spend the time chatting with your friends or co-workers.

Always Clearing Your Throat

From time to time, it’s perfectly fine to clear your throat. However, you are doing your vocal cords some damage if you make a habit out of it. Clearing your throat all the time is like banging your vocal cords against one another unnecessarily. Try taking a sip of water instead as this helps clear and hydrate your throat without harming it.

Drinking Too Much Alcohol and Caffeine

In moderation, there is nothing wrong with drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea. Do it excessively and your vocal cords and ultimately your voice may suffer the consequences. Too much alcohol can cause your vocal cords to constrict, thus diminishing your speaking or singing potential. Caffeinated drinks have a dehydrating effect on your body, something which can rob those vocal cords of much needed lubrication.

Not Doing Warm-Ups

Whether you are about to pump iron or dance, warming up is very important. The same is true if you are a singer, actor, newscaster or any other person relying a lot on his or her voice. Warming up helps prepare your vocal cords for the upcoming tasks, minimizing their risk of getting strained or injured. (1Millionhealthtips)