BWW Blog: Patti Meadors - Staying Healthy 

As a vocalist, sickness is my worst nightmare. I don't want to have to postpone voice lessons, practice or other rehearsal when I lose my voice.

I deal with pretty bad seasonal allergies and just recently found a good medicine to help me combat that. I also swear by a personal humidifier, as well as sleeping with a humidifier every night. I keep vitamin C packets that are mixed with water on hand in case I start feeling sick. I replenish my mini hand sanitizer on a seasonal basis.

Sharing drinks, while may be helpful to others, is something I try to avoid anytime, especially around when I have auditions or shows coming up. Health is not something to be taken lightly when you are performing and have rehearsal every night. Especially as a student actor, having rehearsal every day after school and multiple rehearsals per day can lead to late nights of doing homework. I sleep as frequently as I can, and take multivitamins to replenish what I'm not eating as a vegetarian.

When you are sick, please make sure to stay at home so you can rest and get better, but also make sure that you aren't spreading your sickness to others. Germs are unavoidable and a natural part of life, but avoiding ones that can get you sick are essential in general, but especially when you use something as vital as your speaking or singing voice every day. Don't wear yourself thin when you're sick especially. Having some time for vocal rest every day is not a bad idea, and some actually encourage this. I have one period per day where I make sure that I don't talk excessively in that class or even at all if it's possible.

Overall, being a performer means that you have to be 110% so that you can give your all on and offstage. Stay healthy during this season of cold and flu!

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