Vocal Health TIpS: "I'm Sick, Help!"

This question popped up in my inbox earlier this week and since it’s so pertinent to so many actors out there at one time or another, I thought I’d share...

Q: I am recovering from a viral infection and bronchitis.  I have been out of teaching for a week and was thinking I could go back tomorrow but then I started getting this tickle in my throat that sends me in to these coughing spasms.... the kind that don’t stop... that are embarrassing in public. Is there anything when you are recording your audio books that you find helpful... to immediately stop that kind of cough from starting? I put myself on vocal rest because I had a terrible painful episode at home this morning and talking seems to set it off.

A: First off, I’m so sorry to hear you’re not feeling well.  Such a bummer to be sick. I feel your pain, literally! A couple weeks ago, I was in a very similar situation.  I went to my doctor, and besides a prescription for Flo-naze, the information I received is “it’s just a viral infection-- it will go away on it’s own in a 10-14 days”. WHAT?! 10-14 days of coughing and being able to carry on ?! Not so helpful as, you know, professional voice user hear.  Fortunately, I had an arsenal of tips & tricks from my early years of vocal frustrations, so my specific bout did not last as long as 10 days.  Below is what helped me specifically this time around.

*Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical professional, just sharing my personal experience.  Please do not take the following as medical advice.

• My biggest piece of advice, and it's not so fun, but it's to clear your schedule as much as you can during this difficult time.  Anything (meetings, etc.) that can be postponed do, since vocal rest is the most important thing. Work will be there for you afterwards. If you are currently performing in a play or on set for a film or tv show at the moment this may be impossible.  See what you can negotiate with your team for as much rest as possible from rehearsals & performance. If a theatre contract, is an understudy available?
• Sleep as much as you can so your body can properly heal.  Beyond 8+ hours of sleep a night, naps are great. Nyquil or Tylenol PM could be helpful to get yourself to sleep during those restless nights.
• Drink as much water as humanly possible :)
• Wash your hands as much as humanly possible :)
• Sipping chicken broth, in addition to throat coat tea and peppermint tea with honey, can big a great comfort.
• Use a personal humidifier like Vick's Personal Steam Inhaler a 2-3 times a day, especially before a meeting, conversation, etc.
• Air out your bedroom and any rooms you've been hanging in on a daily basis to release the sick germs :) Change pillow case often
• A supplement like Emergen-C can be a great immune booster as well as fresh oranges
• Throat or cough drops are soothing, but try to stick with natural ones that do NOT include menthol, as menthol tends to not be best for vocal chords
• Once you begin to use your voice again, begin with hums, lips trills, fully warm up your voice and support it with proper breath support before conversation--- and if you start coughing, be okay with leaving the conversation--- may be tricky with teaching, that's why I'd recommend clearing schedule completely

Hope this is helpful, and that you feel better soon.  Please let me know what you find helpful or if you have any other tips to add in the comments below!