Winter is generally a time when the air becomes dry. For singers, a dry vocal tract can cause problems, both in singing and for general health. While increased hydration seems obvious in the summer heat and sweat, it would seem counterintuitive in the winter. But not so!
At least in the temperate zones, winter is the dry season. The cold weather takes moisture out of the air, as water solidifies into snow, ice, and frost. Heat in our homes and workplaces drives moisture upward and out of the reach of our respiratory tract. Our skin becomes dry and, at least when we’re cold, our body conserves heat by driving water out—when you’re freezing, you often also have to pee.
Water is the common currency of our bodies—it’s how nutrients are transported, waste is excreted, and information between cells and organs is exchanged. Since most of our tissues are soft, their shape and structure are also determined by fluid inside and outside their cell walls.
More specifically for singers, moisture is required to lubricate the vocal tract and allow for smooth movement of the vocal folds. Starting with the vocal tract (a.k.a. the respiratory tract), it is lined by mucous membrane which needs to be moist in order to trap particles that float in the air. During wintertime, these particles have a longer life—the lack of moisture in the air allows them to travel longer and farther than during moist weather. We’re talking not just about general debris such as dust but also perennial allergens such as mold and animal dander.
Once these enter the respiratory tract, they need to be trapped as soon as possible by adhering to the moist mucous membranes of the upper airway. If the airway is dry, they will be inhaled through the larynx and farther into the lungs, perhaps producing symptoms such as wheezing and coughing. So, keep those tubes wet!
Looking at the larynx, both internal and surface hydration are important. Surface moisture is crucial to reduce the impact of the vocal folds rubbing against each other. Recall that, when singing high (above F5), the edges of the folds are closely approximated and only the medial margins vibrate. A film of moisture allows this to happen smoothly and atraumatically. If the larynx is dry, tissue rubs against tissue, and over time the cumulative effect of such micro-trauma becomes evident.
Internally, moisture is generally needed to keep the vocal folds plump and pliable. More specifically, to smoothly negotiate the gearshift of the primo passaggio, the muscles must glide smoothly and effortlessly. As you sing past the secondo passaggio, you decouple the mucous membrane of the surface (“the cover”) from the underlying vocal ligament and muscle (“the body”): for the cover to vibrate freely and independently, internal hydration between these two structures is important. The cover is separated from the body by Reinke’s space, an area that contains a number of lubricants but most importantly water.
Your attack on winter dryness should be double pronged, both internal and external. Internal hydration is obvious—the usual eight glasses of water a day. Factor in the dry environment and the moisture you lose in exhaled breath (so-called “insensible loss”). Factor in also holiday parties, loud talking, eggnog and holiday punch, and the diuretic effect of alcohol.
Externally, make sure that your environment is humidified. Obviously, you need to humidify the bedroom. You can further decrease bedroom dryness by keeping the heat down, even cracking the window open a bit. Sleeping in a cooler bedroom may mean an extra blanket or a sweater, but you will wake up less dry and vocally happier.
But also consider other areas where you spend a lot of time. If you have the option to use a humidifier at your work place, consider placing a small vaporizer on your desk. While some home furnaces have a humidifier attached, this is usually not enough, especially if you have forced air heating. Place a humidifier in your bedroom and a second one in the living room or wherever else you spend a lot of time. Your voice, your skin, and even your piano (!) will thank you.
Cold air or warm? Normally, I prefer a cool air humidifier because heat carries air currents up, and you need to keep your body—rather than the ceiling—moist. The ideal humidifier is one that is quiet and has easily cleaned parts. My personal favorite is the Venta Airwasher, a German humidifier which puts out tons of moisture and has a rotating plastic drum rather than a sponge. It is not cheap, but it works well and will last you for years. For cleaning, the drum (and even the container) can be put in your dishwasher.
If you add a small amount of white vinegar to the water, it should keep mold down. Regardless of which humidifier you get, clean it at least once a week, giving it a good soapy scrub.
This is a baseline for humidification. If you catch a cold or another respiratory infection, you should consider supplementing with a bedside vaporizer and adding a couple drops of eucalyptus oil to the water.
Finally, remember to also keep your nasal passages moist. These are normally the first portal of entry for inhaled air, and you can significantly reduce dryness in the larynx and lower respiratory tract by breathing through a well moisturized nose.
