Fine Tune Guide - Singers and Sickness - You have a performance coming up and you feel a cold coming on, what should you do?

The Fine Tune Academy Guide

Sickness and Singing

“…You have a performance coming up and you feel a cold coming on, what should you do………”

As soon as you feel a tickle in your throat or that first sneeze, start taking action:

1. Lots of sleep
   

2. Lots of water (warm is better as it helps to loosen mucus)
   

3. Warm Tea with honey. 
   
   
    Here is a Singers Tea called “Throat Coat”
   
    http://amzn.to/2prhKJf
   

4. Steam baths in the sink with a towel over your head using natural oils or Vicks Vapor* .
   

   http://amzn.to/2oitFFC

5. Vitamin C 
   
    http://amzn.to/2puCa1w
   

6. First defense nasal Spray (Blow your nose, you want to get the mucus out of your body)

   http://amzn.to/2oPCUAo

1. A Neti Pot also works well for those feeling brave.
   
   
    http://amzn.to/2onsmEt
   

2. Herbal throat lozenges

   http://amzn.to/2oPJzdH

1. Limit your Talking and No Singing.

1. Good Diet. Give your body the tools it needs to heal. Cut out or cut down on Milk and Cheese, they can cause a “flemmy” throat :(

1. Start warming up your voice 4 hours before the event with gentle talking. (Fine Tune Warmups Sheets 1+2)

1. Singers throat spray can help a borderline voice last a little longer, and crack less in the upper register.

   http://amzn.to/2prxeNE

2. Singers should always have a Honey Bear close to hand.

http://amzn.to/2uoDo3H

1. The SinuPulse Elite Advanced Rolls Royce of Home Nasal Sinus Irrigation Systems for getting all the gunk out.
   

   http://amzn.to/2AMAt3O

1. ZINC - While there is no cure for the Common Cold, Zinc is though to play a role in your body ability to fight the onset    and duration of the common cold. 
   

   http://amzn.to/2FqpvEL

SEVERE SYMPTOMS/GETTING THROUGH A SHOW

A trip to the doctor for a few minutes on a Nebulizer can work wonders. Many doctors will prescribe a portable inhaler or *Pill to suppress symptoms. Lung infections/Sinus Infections may require more care.

Cough medicine and other Cold and flu remedies will make you feel better for a few hours if you are borderline and need to sing or talk for an extended period of time. They work in part by drying out the Mucus, good in the short term.

COUGH MEDICINE*

http://amzn.to/2t5e5Q4

PAIN REDUCING THROAT SPRAY*

If your throat feels sore, Chloraseptic works pretty quickly.

http://amzn.to/2tgqOmZ

*Natural remedies are encouraged if you have time.

GENERAL

The task is to get the Mucus out of your body by keeping it warm and moist then, coughing or blowing it out of your body.

Lots of rest, water, and quality nutrition.

Tissues: Buy the ones with Aloe or similar, they really help reduce the damage to your nostrils from constant nose blowing.

http://amzn.to/2paCSE1

THE BOTTOM LINE

You may have to cancel the show

ALL singers have missed shows due to Colds, Flus and related common illnesses. It is an unavoidable part of the trade.

The best way to reduce the impact of a cancellation is to maintain contact with the Promoter/Venue as soon as you know there may be an issue. It may be possible for them to extend sets or line up a reserve act just in case.

Get well soon