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The Under $10 Trick That Saved My Voice


Don't hate me cause' you ain't me.
Don't hate me cause' you ain't me.

☕ I’d Die for Coffee… But My Vocal Cords Wouldn’t


Let me just start by saying: I love coffee. No, like really love coffee. If coffee had a fan club, I’d be president, treasurer, and social media manager. If coffee ran for office, it would have my vote and a yard sign. So when I found out that coffee can dry out your vocal cords? DEVASTATED. I was personally victimized by caffeine facts.


But here’s the thing: my job (and let’s be honest, my entire personality) requires a functioning voice. I teach, I coach, I lead meetings, I read bedtime stories — all of which go downhill fast if I sound like a croaky Muppet by 2 PM. So I’ve learned to time my coffee, chug water like it’s my part-time job, and adopt a few daily habits that keep my voice in tip-top shape… even when allergy season rolls in like a pollen-coated wrecking ball.


🎤 My Vocal Routine: Nerd-Tested, Allergy-Approved

1. Cough Drops That Deserve a Medal

These aren’t your average cough drops. These magic lozenges feel like a throat hug. I pop one before any big session or long talking day, and I swear they help coat and calm everything before it even has a chance to get cranky.

2. Tea Time (The Non-Gossip Kind)

Midday, I swap my iced coffee (RIP, bae) for this soothing tea. It’s warm, comforting, and makes me feel like I’ve got my life together. Shout out to the one and only Marty Miller for showing me this YEARS ago when I started to lose my voice before a big convention where I was speaking!

3. The Weird Warmup I Do in My Car

I do this vocal warmup every. single. day. It looks ridiculous. I make weird noises. I sometimes get side-eyes at red lights. And I do not care. It has made an incredible difference in how strong and consistent my voice is — and honestly, I don’t lose it nearly as often as I used to. Vocal lessons aren’t just for singers. They’re for teachers, parents, speakers, podcast hosts, and anyone else who needs to be heard without sounding like a rusty accordion.


🎙 Expert Tips I Swear By (Even If They Hurt My Feelings)


I also snooped on some vocal pros to see what they recommend — here are a few top tips from people who really know their stuff:

  • Hydrate Like It’s Hot – Your vocal cords need consistent moisture. Water throughout the day (especially after that coffee) keeps them flexible and happy.

  • Warm Up Before, Cool Down After – Your voice is like a muscle — it needs stretching! Gentle hums, lip trills, or this super simple warmup are game-changers.

  • Humidify Your Life – Dry air is a voice killer. A humidifier in your office or bedroom can help keep everything in balance, especially during allergy or heater season. (Psst, always use distilled water in your humidifiers! It makes a difference!)

  • Rest Is a Vocal Flex – Don’t be afraid to take “vocal naps.” Quiet time during the day helps prevent burnout — yes, even extroverts need to hush sometimes. (I’m talking to myself here.)

  • Avoid Irritants – Cigarette smoke, spicy food, and yelling at your favorite reality TV contestants = vocal cord chaos. (I’m not saying I stopped yelling at the dog but I did lower the volume.)


💬 Final Thoughts (AKA My Voice PSA)

If you rely on your voice for your work or your life — which, spoiler alert, most of us do — protecting it is worth every odd look you’ll get warming up in your car. My voice used to check out by allergy season every year until I started doing these few simple things, and now? I’m still talking, still teaching, still singing songs with my daughter, and still caffeinated (with boundaries).

Take care of your voice. It's one of your most powerful tools — and it deserves just as much TLC as the rest of you.


XOXO

Brooke





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