Water
The Liquid of Life
How 8 Glasses a Day Keeps Throat Tickle Away
Incredible as it may seem, water is quite possibly the single most important catalyst in recovering and maintaining you
natural voice. Although most of us take it for granted, water may be the only true ‘magic potion’ for voice care.
Life without water would last about 7 Will You have to Move into throat clearing at first, especially
days. Every form of life on earth the Bathroom? when you have a bad cold.
depends on water. Nevertheless, you can learn to sniff-
Not if you drink as swallow. Practicing the ‘sniff-
Adequate water is essential for the prescribed. Follow this swallow’ could help you break a
human body to perform at its peak. schedule: damaging habit.
Like the earth, the human body is 70 - Morning: 1 litre (4
percent water. A loss of 10 percent glasses) consumed The Sniff-Swallow
body water would be critical. More over a period of 30
than that might prove fatal. minutes If you feel mucus in your throat take
- Noon: 1 litre an exaggerated and sudden sniff. This
How Does the Body Use Water? consumed over a should dislodge any mucus on your
period of 30 minutes vocal chords, which you can then
Water makes breathing possible. It - Evening: 1 litre swallow. (You’ll find that having
moistens the harsh dry air. We exhale consumed between 5 mucus is normal. Healthy people
about 20 percent of our water intake. and 6 o’clock swallow quarts of mucus every day!)
(The digestive system uses several Other Hints for Hydration A simple swallow goes a long way to
gallons of water daily to process food. soothing a tickle as well. It gives your
Digestive enzymes are made almost Purchase a special water voice box a bit of a massage and
entirely of water.) bottle or glass just for your maybe that’s all the relief you needed.
water. This way you’ll know Try throat clearing only after you try
Water Helps to Maintain Proper how much it holds and a swallow or a sniff-swallow.
Muscle Tone therefore how many times
you need to empty it. What about bottled mineral water?
It gives muscles their natural ability
to contract and it keeps them from WATER AND THROAT They’re fine. But how many of us can
becoming dehydrated. The vocal CLEARING drink 3 quarts of Perrier a day? Buy
mechanism involves many muscles. bottled water if tap water has an
The habit of throat clearing is unpleasant taste. If that’s not
Even if you are not suffering from a unfortunately self- convenient, try chilling the tap water
cold or flu, a dry vocal tract can perpetuating: for clearing the thoroughly, with a few thin slices of
prevent you from sounding your best. throat to get rid of mucus lemon added to the pitcher. One
Most of us need to drink more fluids irritates the vocal chords, lemon slice to a glass of water gives it
at all times: for without adequate causing tissues to exude a nice fresh flavour. This works well
hydration, our voices are strained and more. for travellers who may run into
flat. unpleasant-tasting water. A fresh
When the body gets the water lemon is easy to carry with you.
How Much Water is Enough? it needs to function
optimally, its fluids are Make it a Habit
On the average, a person should drink perfectly balanced. When this
8 (8-ounce) glasses every day. That’s happens, you notice that you It takes time to form a habit. At first
about 2 litres. However, if you don’t have to work as hard to you’ll need to plan for this new
demand high performance from your clear your throat. behaviour. Later it will be automatic
vocal instrument you should increase and your body will let you know it
that. The amount you drink also The thick glue like throat wants the water. Stick with it. You’ll
should be increased if you exercise mucus has become a notice the benefits.
briskly or if the weather is hot and lubricating velvety fluid.
dry. Source unknown.
It may seem impossible to
refrain completely from