There is a difference in the way we use our voices since the pandemic began. We used to speak with people that were a few feet away, or perhaps at the end of the conference table. The autonomic nervous system takes care of this and we breathe normally and speak at a normal volume. But what happens when you don’t need to speak much above a whisper?
This is where we are now. We are a culture constantly speaking into a tiny mic. It doesn’t take nearly the air that speaking used to take and this can lead to problems vocally. When you are speaking at a normal volume, you intake air and the mechanism works as advertised. However, when you reduce your volume the breath is reduced. This can lead to compensation from the muscles of the voice and that can cause fatigue.
How do we fix it? Well I’m going to tell you what your 4th grade teacher told you “Sit up straight!” Being aware of your posture is the easiest remedy. When you maintain good posture, your rib cage is elevated making room for the breath. So before you start your day of endless Zoom meetings just sit up a little straighter. Not only will it save your voice, but the added O2 will give your brain a tingle.
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