Hydration - calling all fellow coffee addicts

Written By Carol Anne Osborne

I can’t speak for you, but hydration is something I need constant reminders for, especially in the summer when the heat is ON, baby.

It can take days for your hydration habits to show up in your voice. So being consistent all day, every day—especially if I’ve had my usual 4 cups of coffee (which, let’s be real, I have)—is key.

Environmental hydration matters too. A/C and ceiling fans—especially when they’re blasting your face while you sleep—can slowly pull moisture from your airways. I used to wake up with a sore throat and think I was getting sick… but really, I was just sleeping in a makeshift wind tunnel.

The vocal folds only vibrate properly thanks to a microscopic layer of moisture. Without it, things get rough. Imagine trying to slide down a dry Slip ’N Slide… nobody’s having a good time. Fun fact for those with uteruses: That lining also goes MIA during your period. So, if your voice feels off, it’s not in your head. Feel free to tell your teachers I said so.

Hydration Menu: Pick What Works for You

  • 💧 Sip water throughout the day

  • 🧂 Add electrolytes to help absorption

  • 🍉 Snack on hydrating fruits

  • 🌬️ Run a humidifier if the air’s dry

  • ☁️ Steam before you sing

  • 🛏️ Skip direct fan or A/C blasts at night

  • 😴 Try mouth taping to stay hydrated while you sleep

Try a few of these and notice how you feel by Day 3. Less effort? More ease? Hydration may not be the flashiest vocal technique, but it’s foundational. When your body and your environment are working with your voice and not against it, everything feels freer, easier, and way more fun.

This post was written by Carol Anne Osborne

Carol Anne Osborne https://www.carolannemusic.com