The holiday season can be magical… but for voice actors, it can also be brutal on your vocal health. If you notice your voice becoming hoarse or want to prevent it, these holiday vocal care tips will do just that!
Between late nights, dry winter air, crowded rooms full of chatter, and maybe one-too-many sugary treats, it’s easy to end the year with a raspy, worn-out voice aka a holiday voice hangover.
If you’re planning to record during the holidays (or even just want to preserve your voice for the new year), here are a few simple but powerful holiday vocal care tips to help you stay sharp behind the mic.
1. Hydrate, Then Hydrate Some More
Start with the basics: drink warm water or herbal tea throughout the day. Avoid iced drinks, which can constrict your vocal cords. Keeping your vocal folds moist from the inside out is the foundation of healthy voice use, especially when the air is cold and dry.
2. Use a Humidifier at Night
The dry indoor heat from heaters and fireplaces can do a number on your voice. Combat it by running a humidifier while you sleep or spend time indoors. Keeping moisture in the air helps prevent vocal strain and dryness that can creep up without warning.
3. Always Warm Up Before Recording
Even if it’s a short audition or a last-minute holiday gig, don’t skip your warm-up. Gentle humming, lip trills, and breath-work help your voice stay flexible and focused. Warming up also prevents fatigue, especially if you’re recording on the go or after a big family dinner.
Don’t Let the Holidays Derail Your Vocal Momentum
These holiday vocal care tips may seem simple, but consistency is everything. Taking a few minutes to hydrate, humidify, and warm up each day can make a massive difference in how your voice performs, especially if you’re juggling auditions or long recording sessions in between holiday chaos. Your voice is your instrument, and protecting it now means you’ll start 2026 already a step ahead!
Your Voice Deserves a Strong Start to 2026
As you rest, reflect, and recharge this week, ask yourself: How do I want to show up behind the mic in the new year?
If you’re ready to finally create momentum, improve your technique, and start booking higher-level work, keep an eye out because I’m launching a January coaching offer that’s designed to help you do exactly that.
It’s going to be the biggest sale of the year on my 8-week coaching program, and it’s made for voice actors who are serious about leveling up.
Full details are coming January 1st. My email list is the first to know, so if you would like to join and be put on the wait list for the offer,join here.
Happy holidays,
Rachel Alena