Vocal health and care is all about balance of the body, mind and spirit. If you are struggling to stay vocally healthy you will want to take a look at the Vocal Health Checklist and the Lists below to see if you can make some quick adjustments that could turn things around. If you have nothing wrong but are looking for preventative care, see our Vocally Fit List below. For those of you encountering vocal loss and fatigue, go through the below Vocal Health Check List, but your best bet is to see a qualified ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) doctor who specializes in singing voices (Dr. Scott Kessler is our #1 referral in NYC 212-496-9300, 45 W. 67th St. New York NY 10023).

Vocal Health Consultation:  If you'd like an evaluation before going to the doctor and you live in or close to NYC, then set up a consultation with us right away. We can answer your questions and help you detect what is going wrong and help you get on the right track asap! Call 212-523-0828 to set up your consult. 
Note: For those of you who would like some professional guidance and help releasing unexpressed emotions which constrict the voice and breathing, you can set up a Vocal Health Consult to address these issues as well. In these sessions we cover all aspects of the mind, body and emotions that govern singing. From creative personalized visualizations to bodywork and meditations we personalize each session to the individual. Vocal Health Check List:

1. Are you losing your voice on a regular basis?
If the answer is yes, you may be suffering from poor respiratory health and/or poor vocal technique. You may be experiencing the beginning of a decline in vocal fold function resulting in a "swelling" of your vocal folds or nodules or polyps. *Going to a professional ENT (voice doctor) who specializes in the singing voice to get a scope will give you a complete diagnosis. From there we recommend a treatment of natural medicine and vocal therapy with a qualified voice teacher who is a therapist (we are!) to realign your vocal technique and get your body healthy to avoid future problems. 

2. Are your high notes slowly deteriorating?
If you've noticed your high notes starting to deteriorate and not be as clear or dependable as before, this is the beginning of a problem. Catching it early may be your saving grace. The first step is a diagnosis (see * in #1 above) followed by natural medicine and vocal therapy (which we do!). Sometimes drinking 8-10 glasses of water will improve the condition immediately if dehydration is the cause!

3. Do you feel like there is something in your throat that you can't clear?
If this is the case, this usually means you have an edema, vocal cyst, nodute or polyp. Do not delay getting to an ENT asap. (See * #1 above)

4. Do you wake up with a sore throat?
    a. Is your apartment or house dry? (If you live in a cold climate, the air is most likely too dry. The ideal     humidity for singer's is 60%. Just boiling a 2 gallon pot of water in the air will raise the humidity level to     around 50- 60% within 15 minutes)
    b. Most occasional sore throats are from dehydration. Drink 6-8 glasses of water to ensure hydration     and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegies with a high water content like watermelon, bok choy, celery,     cucumber etc.

If you continually wake up with a sore throat and mucous filling your throat, you most likely have acid reflux which is a problem associated with the stomach. For best results see a naturopathic doctor or nutritionist (Dr. Petrone or John Salerno in NYC, Dr. Joel Fuhrman in the NJ area) who can get you on the right track towards healing. Taking anti-acids is not effective for treating reflux and only prolongs the problem.

What to Stay Away From List:

All of the things on this list weaken your immune system and contribute to vocal fatigue. See the To Do list below to get on the right track.

1. Processed foods
2. Smoke
3. Acidic foods ~ marinara sauce, red wine, alcohol in general, all fried foods, chocolate (especially milk or white chocolate), coffee, gum (especially mint gum), mint, citrus fruits (no oj!)
4. Talking over loud music!
5. Lack of sleep
6. Lack of hydration

The Vocal Fit List

Staying vocally fit is all about balance and prevention. Staying in balance and having a professional career are not always congruent or easy. Singers are "athletes of the small muscles of the voice and breathing". Staying vocally fit has more to do with your body than you think! The health of the body is the health of your voice! Check out the suggestions below and add one or two to your daily list of "to do's" to keep you on the Vocal Fit List!

1. Humidify the air with a humidifier or by running the shower.  60% humidity is the perfect climate.

2.  Drink 8 – 10 glasses of water a day

3. Eat fresh fruits, vegetables and salads every day. Try to eat organic whenever possible.  This raises your immune system and promotes overall health. Read “Eat to Live” by Joel Fuhrman (www.drfuhrman.com) ~ you’ll understand why! Re: dressings – use only olive oil or flaxseed oil as most other oils are carcinogenic.

4. Drink herbal teas such as Throat Coat with licorice root and teas with marshmallow root (good for digestion). Honey Vanilla Chamomile is one of my personal favorites. Mellows me out just right before a show!

5. Do Yoga ~ yoga gets the stress out of your body and helps to maintain a more flexible spine which improves overall health of the vocal instrument and prevents vocal injury. Singer practice yoga a minimum of 3-4 times per week to keep their voice and body healthy!

6. Get a professional massage at least once a month. Massages are not a luxury for singers! They are a necessity. Imagine an athlete never getting a massage? Same goes for singers. Massage will help keep your body freer of the tension that causes vocal fatigue and problems. See our article on Self-massage to learn how to apply massage to yourself!

7. Positive attitude ~ Staying positive is one of the most important ingredients for a healthy vocally fit singer. Stress and negative thinking will create tension at the vocal folds and contribute to fatigue and problems. Meditation for even 5 minutes a day will help to lift up your attitude and improve your mindset. Taking a "time-out" from stressful situations by taking a quick walk or watching a movie can help keep you on a positive path and help eliminate stressful thinking.

Vocal Care Products ~

Cari Cole's "TOP "  Vocal Care Products

1. Vocal Eze Throat Spray ~ The Best natural professional throat spray on the market, endorsed by Joss Stone, Rob Thomas and vocal coaches worldwide! Sold at Cari Cole Voice & Music Co or at www.travelwellness.com

2. Thieves Hard Lozenges ~ Great for airplanes! Kills airborne bacteria, viruses and fungus upon contact. All natural essential oils. Available at www.youngliving.org/caricole Click on Products (in the left nav menu)> then enter "Thieves hard lozenges" in the Search field! Great for airplanes and touring!

3. Sunrider Balm … soothe away those tense and tired throat muscles!
Available at Cari Cole Voice & Music Co. Large balm~ $35.00, small balm~ $15.00! Also available at www.sunrider.com

4. Roxalia by Boiron ~ great homeopathy for sore throat symptoms & vocal fold swelling! (*available at select health food stores, Whole Foods or go to www.boiron.com for retailers in your area)

5. Oscillococcinum by Boiron ~ the number one flu/sore throat remedy! Take at the first sign of fever, sore throat and muscle aches. Keeps away the flu! Available at most drugstores and select health food stores, Whole Foods or go to www.boiron.com for retailers in your area)

Throat Care

Alkalol ~ Great product! Clears and thins mucous before shows for 2 hours! (available at select drugstores)
Throat Coat tea ~ soothes irritated or dry throats. Great for pre-performance! (*available at select health food stores)
Slippery Elm capsules ~ a natural emollient for the throat! Add to Throat Coat tea for an extra slippery feeling!
Thayers Slippery Elm lozenges ~ a natural emollient in a lozenge! (*available at select health food stores)
Thayers Throat Spray ~ soothes throat. No chemicals or refined sugar! (*available at select health food stores)
Thieves Throat Spray ~ Kills airborne bacteria! Spray when around infected areas/people or in public places/airplanes etc. Made with organic essential oils. Order online at www.youngliving.org/caricole

Nasal Care
Entsol Wash Salt Water spray ~ keeps your nasal passages clean and moisturized (available at most drugstore or on the web at http://www.entsolwash.com)    

Cold Care  (available at health food stores, Whole Foods & select drugstores)
Oscillococcinum by Boiron ~ the number one flu/sore throat remedy!
Coldcalm by Boiron ~ shortens the duration of a cold.
Roxalia by Boiron ~ reduces inflammation of the vocal folds.
Echinecea & Zinc lozenges ~ shortens the duration of your cold!

Allergy Care  (available at health food stores, Whole Foods & select drugstores)
Allergy by Boiron ~ terrific remedies for allergies. Use specific remedies for specific symptoms!
Herbal tinctures ~ available at health food stores. Tinctures will help immunize you against specific allergens!

Health & Energy Care

Sunrider organic herbal food products ~ available through Cari Cole Voice & Music Company or visit www.sunrider.com … clean and energize your body!

"I use these products every single day. They are completely organic concentrates of herbs and foods that regenerate and cleanse the body. If I am coming down with something I use the QUinary and the Fortune Delight as much as every 2 hours! I have completely moved through a cold in 5-6 hours this way!" Cari Cole.

1. Calli tea ~ a gentle cleanser that detoxifies your system daily.  Use Nighttime Calli to sleep easier. Price $11.30 (box of 10 tea bags)

2. Quinary (Chinese Herbal powder concentrate)  ~ a supplement that feeds the 5 major systems of your
body including the endocrine, digestive, respiratory, immune and auto-immune. Price $43.30 (box of 10 packets)

3. Fortune Delight (Chinese Herbal powder concentrate) ~ a gentle cleanser that cleans the lymph nodes and gives extra energy to your body naturally without caffeine! Price  $11.50 (box of 10 packets)

4. NuPlus ~ a powered supplement that provides energy and extra health! Price $21.50 (box of 10 packets)   

Essential Oils by Young Living    

Young Living Essential oils are the purest organic therapeutic grade oils available!! Use as a spray, topically or atomize in the air! "I've been using Young LIving Essential Oils for years. Most of the rock stars I work with use Young Living as well", says Cari Cole.

Young Living Essential Oils ~ Order online at www.youngliving.org/caricole
Go to our page on the Young Living Essential Oil website where you can order. Treat yourself to these amazing oils!

Thieves Hard Lozenges ~ Great for airplanes! Kills airborne bacteria, viruses and fungus upon contact. All natural essential oils. Available at www.youngliving.org/caricole Click on Products (in the left nav menu)> then enter "Thieves hard lozenges" in the Search field! Great for airplanes and touring!
Purification Essential Oil ~ cleans & purifies your throat, sinus & eustacian tube, air & environment.
Use as a spray, topically or atomize in the air!
Melaleuca Essential Oil~ the best tea tree oil on the planet!
Great for infections of any kind including the sinuses, throat, ear, etc.
R.C.Essential Oil Blend ~ For super respiratory health. Great remedy for asthmatics! Rub on throat, neck, chest & feet and/or atomize!
Lavender Essential Oil ~ Anti~inflammatory and soothing essential oil.
Great for swelling, tired and inflamed throat muscles! Apply directly to throat!
Raven ~ for respiratory health and purification! Rub on throat, neck, chest & feet and/or atomize!
Eucalyptus Essential Oil ~ for respiratory health and difficulty breathing! Rub on throat, neck, chest & feet and/or atomize!
Basil Essential Oil~ great for soothing lungs, anti~spasmodic, soothes coughing, Rub on throat, neck, chest & feet and/or atomize!
Valor Essential Oil Blend ~ great for TMJ problems, helps to align the joint. Massage directly into the jaw muscles!
And many more!! There are hundreds of oils to choose from! Peace & Calming is also one of our favorites!
Essential Oils can be rubbed directly on the hands and feet or diffused into the air.
Order a cool-air diffuser to diffuse your oils from www.abundant-health4u.com
We recommend the top loading cool air diffuser for $68.00

Got a specific health question or want to schedule a Vocal Health Phone Consult? Email me directly at cari@caricolevoiceandmusic.com

Yours in vocal health!!

Best,

Cari Cole