Drinking water is boring? Here's why it matters for your voice.
One of the routine questions I ask clients is, “How much water do you drink every day?”
The most common answer I hear, by far, is “Not enough.” We know we’re supposed to drink water. Especially when it’s hot.
The most common answer I hear, by far, is “Not enough.” We know we’re supposed to drink water. Especially when it’s hot.
And right now, it’s hot. 🥵
According to Trident Health, “losing just 1.5 percent of your total water weight is considered “mild dehydration.’”
According to Trident Health, “losing just 1.5 percent of your total water weight is considered “mild dehydration.’”
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So how Much Water do we Need?
In short, the Mayo Clinic says
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The University of Missouri recommends you start with simply dividing your weight by 2, and that’s the number of ounces of water you need daily.
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Why Does it Matter for my Voice?
Some of the common side effects of dehydration are low energy, brain fog, headaches and constipation.
But if you use your voice professionally, or even just in your daily life, it matters for your ease of speaking. Yep, hydration makes speaking easier. Those little vocal folds are delicate tissues and they can dry out fast. When you’re a bit dehydrated, your throat can feel scratchy, dry, and tight. (Add adrenaline to the mix, and woof!, but that’s another post.) And even if you don’t notice any dry sensation in your throat, a dehydrated body is working a little bit harder to create sound.
Some of the common side effects of dehydration are low energy, brain fog, headaches and constipation.
But if you use your voice professionally, or even just in your daily life, it matters for your ease of speaking. Yep, hydration makes speaking easier. Those little vocal folds are delicate tissues and they can dry out fast. When you’re a bit dehydrated, your throat can feel scratchy, dry, and tight. (Add adrenaline to the mix, and woof!, but that’s another post.) And even if you don’t notice any dry sensation in your throat, a dehydrated body is working a little bit harder to create sound.
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When you’re well hydrated, your vocal folds are plump and happy, and that makes speaking easier. For science nerds, here’s the study by Southern Illinois University (I got you). Their conclusion? Dehydration leads to greater phonation effort, or more simply, not enough water in your bod makes it harder to speak. And we all want speaking to be easy! |
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In addition to speaking being easier, you want to sound great. If you’re speaking into a mic or in person, you’ll want to avoid the dreaded mouth noise. Hydrating in advance of a presentation or speech will help you reduce those icky mouth-smacking sounds.
Plus, the act of speaking itself dehydrates you a wee bit. When we speak, water is carried out of our bodies on our breath. You know how your breath fogs up a mirror? Our respiration is moist (sorry “moist” haters) and that moisture needs to be replaced. |
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Okay Coach, How do I get this Done?
Every glass helps! Try these tips to make it more fun. 1. Use a groovy water bottle to keep track of your water intake. I like this one (in 21 fun color options!), but there are tons of bottles ranging from cute designs to fancy bottles that come with an app. Or keep a log on your phone or desk - it can be as simple as tally marks for each glass.
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2. Set a timer on your phone or calendar to remind you to drink water every hour.
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3. You get about 20% of your hydration from foods. You can easily boost your hydration by eating fresh fruits and veggies, soups, and other foods high in water content. On these hot days, think melon salads, gazpachos, smoothies. In cooler temps, warm cozy soups and herbal teas.
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4. Add Flavor. And if you think plain ole water is boring and you hate it, up the deliciousness with these simple ideas from Food Network. I’m all about the orange-fennel water!
5. Recipes too fussy? but you still want something new? Try Air Up water bottles. You're still drinking plain water, but with their scent pads under your nose, it seems like you're tasting a flavor!
So, there you have it! Drinking enough water is not only important for your health, it’s crucial for anyone who uses their voice. By staying hydrated, you keep your voice sounding its best.
Remember, even if you don't feel thirsty, your body still needs water. Start sipping, and your voice will thank you for it!
Remember, even if you don't feel thirsty, your body still needs water. Start sipping, and your voice will thank you for it!
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