Is Hay Fever trying to Steal Your High Notes? Here's What I Tell My Singers Every Year

It's that time again.

The pollen count goes through the roof, everyone's rubbing their eyes, mopping up runny noses every time they bend down to put their shoes on, and wondering why they suddenly sound like they've had a big night out after mowing the lawn.

If you're a singer, hay fever can be more than just annoying. It can make you question everything.

"Why is this so hard?"

"Why did that note just disappear?"

"Why are those notes so raspy?"

I promise you, you're not imagining it.

As a vocal coach and vocal habilitation professional, I've been helping singers, performers and professional voice users for years, and every single year I have the same conversations.

Whether my clients are busy professional voice users, or enthusiastic amateurs singing just for the joy, allergies don't discriminate. They can make every voice feel a bit naff.

While allergies may not be the direct cause of your voice problems, this can aggravate existing symptoms.

Swelling in your upper respiratory tract and vocal folds can dramatically affect performance.

Our Vocal folds are super heroes but even minor swelling can disrupt their movement.

The good news is that your voice hasn't suddenly packed its bags and left.

It just needs a little extra kindness for a few weeks.

Here are the five things I recommend every year.

1. Drink the water. Yes, more than that.

Drink more!!

I know. You've heard it a thousand times

.

But hydration really is one of the best things you can do for your voice.

Your vocal folds love being well hydrated. Hay fever does not.

Throw first generation antihistamines into the mix and suddenly your throat feels like you've swallowed the Sahara Desert.

If you feel 'claggy', the swallowing action of sipping fluids can help clear it without the need to cough.

Unfortunately, one glass of water five minutes before rehearsal isn't going to perform miracles ( I know, gutting!). But keep sipping little and often throughout the day and your future singing voice will thank you (even if your bladder isn't quite as enthusiastic!).

If it's warm, or you're working extra hard, add in electrolytes to give your body a little extra help.

Steaming and nebulising regularly also topically supports your hydration goals and keeps those tiny warriors happy.

2. Your medication might be helping your nose but annoying your voice.

Some antihistamines are brilliant at stopping the sneezing but can leave your mouth and throat feeling incredibly dry.

It can be one of those annoying little trade-offs. But it doesn't have to be!

Don't stop taking medication that works for you, but if your voice always feels worse after taking it, have a chat with your pharmacist or GP. There are often alternatives that suit singers a little better.

Fexofenadine hydrochloride is a non-drowsy antihistamine that is voice-friendly, and nasal sprays and eye drops are also better options for Voice users.

It's amazing how many people assume they've suddenly developed terrible technique, when actually they're just... dry.

3. Stop trying to bully your voice.

We've all done it.

You warm up, your top notes aren't there, so naturally you sing them another twenty-seven times in the hope they'll magically appear.

Spoiler alert. Trying harder, pushing, and too much repetition is not the answer.

If your voice feels sluggish, spend a bit longer with gentle exercises. Go back to basics with Sirens, SOVTe's, Lip trills and nice gentle warm ups.

Take your time. Give your voice chance to remember what it's supposed to be doing.

Treat it like a friend who's had a rough night's sleep, not someone who needs shouting at. If it is still not playing ball, today is not the day. Just take a break.

4. Some days are just "middle eight" days.

Not every practice session has to be about smashing your highest note or biggest belt.

If your allergies are really kicking off, use that rehearsal to work on lyrics, storytelling, breathing, rhythm or musicality instead.

Some of the biggest breakthroughs I see with singers happen on days when they stop obsessing over the notes and start thinking about the song.

Your voice will come back.

Confidence is much harder to rebuild if you've spent an hour beating yourself up..

5. Be kind to the person attached to the voice.

Be kind to yourself

This is the bit we often forget.

Your voice doesn't live in isolation. It is affected by your physical health, your mental health, your environment, and your lifestyle.

If you're exhausted, stressed, dehydrated, hormonal, surviving on iced coffee and biscuits and haven't slept because your nose has been blocked all night, your voice is going to notice.

You don't need to become a wellness influencer overnight.

Just remember that looking after yourself is looking after your voice.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do for your voice is put your phone down and get an early night.

Finally...

If you're finding singing harder at the moment, please don't panic.

Every year I see singers convince themselves they've lost their technique, damaged their voice or somehow become a worse singer overnight.

Then the pollen count drops...

...and miraculously they're singing exactly as they were before.

Your voice is incredibly clever. It's also incredibly honest. It's simply responding to what's happening in your body.

So if the high notes are feeling a bit elusive this week, give yourself a break. Sing the easy songs.

Even Whitney sang some easy ones.

The pollen won't last forever.

And neither will Barry White season.

Not all the voices we love to listen to are perfect.

Every singer is different, every voice tells a different story, and that's exactly how it should be.