How To Care For Your Throat All Year Round

Although we believe that we should only pay attention to it in winter, the sore throat can also suffer in summer due to dryness of the air conditioning or the consumption of very cold drinks. So in this article we offer some recommendations for year-round throat care.

Tips for daily throat care

In winter it is more common to pay attention to the throat, as viruses and diseases are “prowling”. But what happens when it’s hot? Have we forgotten something as essential as the instrument that allows us to communicate? At any time of year, we must protect the throat  through the following habits:

1. Have a healthy diet

Believe it or not, everything you eat influences your throat health. If your diet is unhealthy, it will be easier to get sick. Go for fresh food – even in winter – and don’t forget orange juice, which has lots of vitamin C (and therefore boosts your immune system). Choose seasonal fruits for dessert.

2. Hydrate and hydrate

In order to have a healthy throat, it is very important that it is kept moist. We recommend that you drink the famous “2 liters of water a day” to hydrate the vocal cords and prevent the area from heating up and drying out, causing discomfort, pain and even hoarseness. This habit should be present year-round, not just in summer.

In turn, we  advise you to avoid very cold drinks,  even if it is very hot, and reduce your intake of coffee and alcohol, opting for vegetable milk instead of dairy products (which increase mucus).

3. Rest

If you don’t get enough sleep, it’s likely that the next day you’ll have trouble speaking well. Your voice will sound “scratchy” and a little muffled. Sleep serves to repair and rest the entire organism, including the throat. So if you’ve had a day when your vocal cords worked too hard, the best thing you can do is get more sleep than usual.

4. Keep your body wrapped up

You might think this advice is just for the cold months, but it’s not. In summer, people tend to abuse the air conditioning a little. In many offices and buildings it gets so cold that we must wear some kind of coat. Cold air can dry out your throat, so we  recommend that, at any time of year, you have a handkerchief or accessory to cover the area. And, of course, don’t go out without a scarf in winter.

5. eat honey

There are many properties of honey for our health in general, and for the throat in particular. That’s because it is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent that can fight any virus, bacteria or micro-organism that tries to enter your body. In the case of propolis, it is used to fight infections, reduce inflammation of the vocal cords and reduce dryness. You can consume a teaspoon every day on an empty stomach. If you choose honey, use it to sweeten your infusions.

6. Avoid dryness

Some places are very dry due to the air conditioning. For example, if you are traveling by plane, we recommend that you  place a wet towel or handkerchief over your mouth and nose to avoid feeling dry and to moisturize your vocal cords. The same applies if you work in an office where ventilation is very strong. And be careful, because this can also happen in winter with the heater on full.

On the other hand, you should avoid poorly ventilated areas or places with lots of smoke and noise because they are one of the main sources of infection: they are full of mold, fungus and dust that can affect your throat.

7. Don’t talk

Although it seems impossible, it’s often good to close your mouth and allow your throat to rest. People who have vocal chord-intensive jobs (receptionists, telephone operators, singers, announcers, etc.) may experience dryness or discomfort at the end of the day. Therefore, it is advisable not to speak when it is not necessary. Thus, the throat will rest and decongest.

8. No smoking

Cigarette smoke and toxins affect not only the lungs but also the entire respiratory system, including the throat and vocal cords. If you don’t smoke, avoid being around people who do, because you can also suffer the consequences.

9. Cough

When you feel that you have some discomfort in your throat, don’t resort to the usual “short cough”. On the contrary,  you must cough hard to eliminate what blocks the air passage. This will avoid damaging the vocal cords. If the problem persists, drink some water or a cup of tea of ​​your choice.

10. express feelings

Finally, a tip you shouldn’t ignore because, even if you don’t believe it, the throat is related to emotions. So when something ails you, you feel a “knot” that doesn’t allow you to breathe or speak well. Express what’s happening, avoid the build-up of tensions, and ask for what you need. Talk to your loved ones (or a therapist) about your fears, frustrations, sadness, and worries. You will see that everything improves, including your throat health.