Okay, first I apologize for not posting in a long time. I spent the last two months researching what kind of recording booth I wanted with StudioBricks. This kind of investment takes a long, long time because you want all the details in place: modifications, measurements, additional equipment, weighing the pros and cons, getting every bit of free advice you can gather, and more. This booth is the biggest investment I’ve ever made, everything HAS to be just right. If anyone wants to ask questions or read a possible future blog post about what I did to ensure that Studiobricks was the best decision please comment or message me.
A week after calling the manufacturer, and paying the deposit I got sick.
It’s going to happen. It always does.
As I typed this I was lying in bed with a massive sinus infection. It literally and I DO mean literally happens every year, always in March. Allergy season, eek!
And because I was coughing up junk every 45 minutes while my body adjusted to antibiotics (thank Heavens for after hours clinics!!!), I couldn’t record anything for three days. This meant missing auditions, lots of them. Who doesn’t hate missing auditions? But like I said, getting sick is going to happen. We’re human, not flawless.
While I lay coughing till my throat became numb, I realized this would make a good blog post about what to do when sick. Rest is essential, we all know that, but so is keeping your health in check you’re your mind stimulated. These are ideas, not solutions. I’m not a doctor, and I don’t play one on TV.
Health
Water, water, water. The doctor is sooooo right. Increase those fluids! No soft drinks, no alcohol (big no!!!), no milk, and no Gatorade, they don’t count. Juice is ok, but try to get natural without added sugars. Or if you have a juicer, raw juice from oranges and lemons.
Avoid dairy products, they make allergies worse. You can google it if you don’t believe me.
Soups are your best friend during those sick days. I know, I know, it’s not enjoyable as pizza or crispy fries or other comfort foods but you need to get well first. And avoid the creamy soups (clam chowder, potato soup, broccoli cheese, etc.). Stick with broths or vegetables. Hot is best for helping to drain the sinuses.
Stay clean
Wash your hands and shower with warm or hot water. I often don’t want to leave my bed but a hot shower does so much. I can breathe in the steam which can clear my nostrils. The hot water also numbs my achy limbs. If you’re sensitive to hot water than try a warm shower, or soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts which you can buy almost anywhere.
Advice from VO talent:
A number of colleagues shared the following info below when it comes to caring for a sore throat. Those that are bold are the ones I tried.
Gargling with hot water and salt. Don’t swallow! (Multiple VO talent swear by this and it worked for me too)
Boil fresh ginger (not powdered) with some tablespoons of honey and drink 4 times a day.
Buy a neti pot and keep it by your bed.
Chloraseptic spray
Throat coat products
Hot tea with lemon and honey
Homemade grapefruit juice
Mix 2 tablespoons of honey, the juice of one lemon and a cup of hot water before better (It helped me a good deal)
Honey and apple cider vinegar
Sage tea
Buy a humidifier (I got one)
Ginseng tea
Fish oil
Turmeric capsules
Garlic capsules
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with water every day (I tried this earlier. Not easy to swallow, but an hour later I felt soooo much better!)
And…. rest, rest, more rest and vocal rest.
When in doubt, ask your doctor!
When you start to feel better but can’t bring yourself to get in your studio to record just yet, what do you do to keep up with VO? Well there’s Twitter, Facebook, Google, Instagram and blogs on every topic from A to Z. But if you want to keep up with VO here are some great blogs and video series to check out:
VO Buzz Weekly (Interviews with top VO talent, top VO agents, top VO producers and much more!) – http://www.vobuzzweekly.com/
Whittam’s World (Awesome info on VO and recording technology)- http://www.edgestudiotechnology.com/whittam-s-world.html
Paul Strikwerda VO Blog (A GREAT source of information)- http://www.nethervoice.com
Global Voice Academy (Classes, workshops, webinars, news) – http://www.globalvoiceacademy.com/
After a few days hopefully you’ll feel better, but take it easy for another day or two. Afterwards, take vitamin C, do some yoga or light exercise, vocal warm-ups and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER stop drinking water.
If you have ideas or thoughts to share regarding what works for you, please do so!
