Staying Healthy During Flu Season
This is a bad year for the flu – and I’m sure that’s not news to you.
As a vocalist, you need to be extra careful with preventive care – you can’t cancel a gig just because you’re sick. I’ve had to perform long gigs while sick more times than I wish. It’s not fun, and you risk losing your voice because of it. (I have injured my voice because of singing a 4-hour pop/rock gig while sick. It took about 9 months for my voice to heal.)
But when you have a gig commitment, you have to keep it. If you booked a show, and you cancel for illness, chances are you’re not going to play at that venue again.
Case in point: singer Brandon Flowers (The Killers) performed at the 1st Bank Center two weeks ago while he had the flu. I was there. I couldn’t tell, except that he told the audience. He still gave his all. In other words – you’ve heard it before – the show must go on.
So please take care of yourself! Here are some things you can do to stay healthy. They’re basic, but that’s the point – they’re the foundations of general health, which is the foundation of vocal health.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Don’t touch your face. You touch things that other people – some sick people – have touched. Your skin is a great barrier… until you touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
- Eat healthy. You know what that means. Especially avoid sugar. I tend to fall sick when I get into a sugar habit.
- Stay hydrated. Your voice will thank you.
- Get enough sleep. Your immune system will be stronger.
- Avoid being around sick people as much as possible.
- Carry alcohol wipes in single-use packets to wipe down other microphones. I highly recommend doing this if you aren’t bringing your own microphone to a gig.
See you in the studio!
