How To Cure A Sore Throat Before Auditions And Performances
For actors and singers, sore throats are the worst. They’re inconvenient, they hurt, and they ultimately affect how we perform.
Have an audition or performance coming up and need to cure a sore throat fast?
Here are 5 tips to get rid of a sore throat.
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1. Drink warm liquids.
Warm liquids help keep you hydrated and relaxed. Drinking warm liquids such as caffeine-free tea with lemon juice and honey, warm water with lemon and honey, or warm soup broth can soothe a sore throat.
Hot fluids also help thin sinus mucus, which allows for better drainage and decreased stuffiness.
One of my favorite immediate remedies to a sore throat is Throat Coat tea. Made from high-quality herbs, this non-GMO tea supports throat health with a delicious licorice taste!
2. Use a humidifier.
Dry air, especially during the harsh, cold days of winter, may be the cause of your sore throat. A humidifier will keep the air moist and open your sinuses. Add in a tablespoon or two of vapor rub or hydrogen peroxide solution to provide additional relief.
Also consider taking a long, steamy shower. The moist air helps soothe your swollen sore throat, while keeping the nasal secretions from drying out.
For starters, try the Pure Enrichment MistAire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier. This humidifier safely moisturizes the air for up to 16 hours of continuous operation so you can breathe easy and get more restful sleep. After just one night of using it, you’ll feel a massive difference!
3. Drink plenty of water.
Stay hydrated! When you are sick with a sore throat, staying hydrated can help fight congestion, thin mucus secretions, and keep the throat moist. Cold ice water also helps ease inflammation.
If your sore throat is accompanied by a fever, you can easily become dehydrated. Drink plenty of water to replenish lost fluids.
Minimize whatever can be systemically drying… especially caffeine.
4. Try over-the-counter pain medications.
OTC pain medications like Tylenol, and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or Aleve can help relieve the pain and inflammation caused by a sore throat. They may also help reduce an accompanying fever if the sore throat is caused by an infection such as strep throat.
For an immediate soothing effect, try Fontus Throat Lozenges. Created by Broadway, Film and TV actress Kaitlin Hopkins, Fontus Lozenges provide moisturizing relief from dryness with a unique patent-pending formula that stimulates saliva production to lubricate dry mouth and throat.
5. Get as much rest as possible.
Don’t underestimate the power of physically resting your body and voice. Sleep is important in your body’s fight against illness and infection.
But beware - lying flat can sometimes cause swelling due to an increase in pressure at the back of the throat. Instead, try elevating the bed or sitting propped up or in a chair to alleviate any pain and discomfort.
Find this helpful? Be sure to check out the Actor Aesthetic podcast. New episodes every Monday!
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