One of the key things you’ll hear in any profession is how vital it is to put in as much rest as work, and those who rely on their vocals are no exception! In fact, one could argue, it’s even more important for such people to properly rest to ensure their voices have time to properly rest and reduce the risk of causing vocal strain.
In this quick guide we are not only going to explain why, but also add further tips to make sure your maximising all the time you can in dreamland!
Booze, caffeine, food and other drugs
You may have heard many people enjoy a heavy meal then go into what many of us refer to as a food coma. Although it is a nice treat for your tummy, there is a chance you will suffer from acid reflux when you’re awake which in turn can lead to discomfort, reduced vocal stamina and a raspy sound to name a few things. One way to avoid this when sleeping is to have the pillow 10 cms above the mattress (or whatever else you happen to sleep on) to reduce acid reaching your throat. Also avoiding tobacco and alcohol an hour before sleep will also help reduce this.
Creativity
Ask anyone and they will tell you how artists are the creatives of the world. With that in mind, there have been multiple studies which prove that REM (Rapid Eye Movement, not the band) are incredibly important with the creative process. Whether that be memory (remembering verses, or memorising a script) and/or problem solving such as song writing, improvisation and many other processes. In fact one study shows an increase in problem-solving of 15-35% after a good night’s sleep.
Blue Light
In the digital age, technology has come so far that you almost have a T.V essentially in your pocket with the world on demand, although it is important to keep your brain stimulated, blue light (which is artificial light) have proven to be key factor in irregular sleep patterns and essentially keep the brain awake. Turn them off at least 60 – 90 minutes before bed. A fantastic alternative is reading a book.
Natural Mood Enhancer
No matter what artists and performers say, anyone who performs to an audience night after night has an increased chance of being stressed for several reasons. Lack of sleep is known to increase the blood pressure and hormones and that combined with unpredictability of the choices we make, can make for an unpleasant experience so be kind to yourselves and let yourself rest!
