Your voice is your instrument—how well are you caring for it?
Most of us take good care of the things we rely on every day—our home, our car, even our smartphones. We clean them, tune them up, update them, and make sure they’re working the way they should.
But the one thing we use more than anything else?
We rarely even think about it.
Our voice.
A friend once told me about a presentation that didn’t go quite the way she hoped. She had prepared beautifully—slides, content, delivery, the whole thing. But that morning she drank extra coffee to stay sharp, then grabbed some mouthwash right before speaking. The combination completely dried out her throat.
She spent the whole talk clearing her voice, reaching for water, and losing her rhythm. Her message was strong, but her voice—strained and uncomfortable—held her back.
And honestly? It happens to so many of us.
Your voice deserves steady care too — not just attention when something feels off.
✨ Secret #4: Treat your voice like an instrument—one that performs best when maintained with intention.
Throughout the day, become aware of your voice and how it feels.
Is there dryness? Discomfort? Vocal fatigue? Do you lose your voice frequently?
These signals matter. Your body is telling you what it needs.
Simple ways to protect your voice:
- Relax and reduce tension in the body, especially the throat area. Take a few deep breaths. Try opening your mouth wide and closing it three times to reduce tightness in your jaw.
- Hydrate throughout the day with small, steady sips of water. Keep water nearby when speaking publicly.
- Avoid caffeine, milk, alcohol and smoking right before speaking—they dehydrate.
- Rest your voice—take short breaks of quiet time. Listen instead of talk.
- Use amplification when needed instead of straining your voice to compete with noise. Your listeners will appreciate the increased volume.
👉 Action step: Today, check in with your voice three times. Notice how it feels—and support it with one act of care. Small habits create lasting protection.
When you care for your voice daily, it shows up powerfully when it matters most.
🎁 Bonus Tip: Holiday Edition With more talking, late nights, and noisy gatherings, your voice works overtime this season. Protect it by drinking water between events, resting your voice when you can, and avoiding shouting over background noise. Stay in tune—your voice deserves it.
This is Secret #4 in my series: 22 Secrets from The Clear Path to Confident Public Speaking. Look for “Warming Up Your Voice” in a future secret in the series.👉 Want a personalized vocal care plan that fits your speaking schedule? Let’s create one together. Book your free consultation here: iSpeakClearly.com
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Anne Marie
Anne Marie Strauss
Founder & President, iSpeak Clearly
Blending science, mindfulness and joy for confident communication.
