5 Secrets to Recover Your Singing Voice From a Cold Using Natural Methods

5 Secrets to Recover Your Singing Voice From a Cold Using Natural Methods

Nothing is worse than having to sing with a cold or losing your voice from a respiratory illness as a singer. Respiratory infections tend to linger and a singer is down for the count, not being able to sing. Recovery can take quite a while. Over the years, I have learned many methods that help singers recover faster.

In this article, I will outline some steps to follow for how to recover your voice quickly using natural methods and vocal techniques that restore the voice faster when you need to sing. This is not in place of medical advice. These are tips and tools I personally have used to help recover my own health and what has worked for singers over the years. I have found that natural solutions work best.

Keep in mind that when you “catch a cold”, it is really a sign that your toxic load and stress is in a heightened state. The symptoms of a cold are your body’s way of processing out that toxic load. It is important to give yourself plenty of rest and take a time out to get better first. Then, work on building up your immune system to avoid getting sick in the first place.

I have also compiled vocal therapy exercises to recover faster. Click here to: Learn more about the Cole Vocal Method

Here’s a quick outline of the topics covered in today’s blog:

• When You Get Sick, How to Recover Quickly
• Top Natural Solutions for Recovery
• Top Natural Treatments for Recovery
• Top Vocal Techniques for Recovery
• How to Avoid Getting Sick in the First Place

Let’s dive in!

1. When You Get Sick, How to Recover Quickly

I often get emails and questions from singers about what to do when they have come down with a cold and they have to sing. Here are some helpful tips for what to do once you are sick.

Try these:

• Rest: Take a break to help your body recover. Take naps, go to bed early. Allow your body more rest than usual.
• Steam: Steam with hot or warm water. Bring water to a boil, remove from heat, place a towel over your head, and breathe steam for 5–7 minutes. You can add one drop of eucalyptus or thyme oil.
• Hydration
• Epsom Salt Baths
• See remedies below

Don’t go for massages when you are sick and avoid detoxing during this time. Your body is already working hard to clear toxins. Save detox practices for when you are healthy.

2. Top Natural Solutions and Remedies for Recovery

Here are my top natural solutions and remedies to help you recover faster.

Try this:

• Reduce inflammation
  • Anti-inflammatory diet — avoid sweets, alcohol, grains, dairy, and meats.
  • Avoid processed foods
  • Grounding: placing your feet directly on the ground or using grounding mats
• Good sleep: At least 8 hours; sleep in a cool, dark room.
• Hydration: water, electrolytes, coconut water, fruits, juices, broths, salads
• Sweat: Keep warm with blankets and socks to support healing
• Gentle stretching: Lying-down stretches help the body process toxins
• The Big 6 Lymph Points:
  • 1 – rub the sides of the neck 7 times
  • 2 – rub the collarbones 7 times
  • 3 – rub under the armpits 7 times
  • 4 – rub the stomach 7 times
  • 5 – rub the crease between each leg and pelvis 7 times
  • 6 – rub the backs of the knees 7 times
• Homeopathic remedies:
  • Oscillococcium
  • Throat Calm
• Herbs and teas:
  • Echinacea Elderberry syrup
  • Mullein leaf tea or tincture
  • Throat Coat tea
  • Dr. Morse’s Heal All Tea
  • Bronchial Soothe (ivy leaf)
  • Clove tea
• Supplements: Vitamin C, B12, B Complex, Vitamin D3, Wellness Formula
• For mucous: steam and gargle with Alkalol to reduce mucous gently

3. Top Natural Treatments for Recovery

Nebulizing, hydration, herbs, lymphatic massage, and acupuncture can all support faster recovery. Wait until you are past the peak of illness (2–3 days) before adding treatments.

• Nebulizing: Use filtered water with a 1:4 ratio of colloidal silver to water.
• Herbs — see the list above
• Acupuncture and Chinese herbs
• Lymphatic massage

Do not pursue treatments during the worst peak of illness — wait until symptoms begin to improve.

4. Top Vocal Techniques for Recovery

Most doctors and vocal coaches recommend full vocal rest—helpful, but incomplete. There are vocal techniques that support recovery when used at the right time.

Here’s the protocol:

• Leading up to peak phase: Rest, steam, nebulize, no vocalizing
• Peak phase: Rest, steam, nebulize, no vocalizing
• Post-peak phase: Vocal therapy exercises (inside the Vocal Rescue Kit)
• Recovery phase: Cool-down exercises (inside the Vocal Rescue Kit)

Learn more about the Cole Vocal Method

Learn more about the Vocal Rescue Kit

5. How to Avoid Getting Sick in the First Place

Paying attention to your physical, mental, and emotional health is key to staying healthy and avoiding respiratory illnesses.

Try this:

• Immune system support:
  • Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats
  • Use plant-based supplements such as Vitamin C, D3, B12, B Complex
  • Fresh juices (orange, grapefruit, pineapple, celery, cucumber, lemon)
  • Include probiotic foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and miso
• Detox:
  • Infrared sauna
  • Chelators such as charcoal and cilantro
• Herbs — see the list above
• Emotional health:
  • Mindfulness, breathwork, movement
  • Paced breathing (4–2–8 technique)
  • Emotion regulation exercises such as the STOP skill