Heart Health Month

Vocal Wellness Coordinator Blog Post – February, 2017

Wendy LeBorgne, Ph.D. CCC-SLP
Voice Pathologist & Singing Voice Specialist

February is Heart Health Month. Singers are often under undue amounts of stress between auditions, performances, and daily life. It is common knowledge that stress and anxiety are strongly and directly linked to both heart disease and stroke. As stress and anxiety cannot be eliminated completely from a singer’s life, what are some of the best ways to manage it? Dr. Katherine Jolly, Assistant Professor of Music at St. Louis University, completed her dissertation on the use of five specific yoga postures and the impact of heart rate, breathing, and perceived sense of anxiety/stress.

 

Listen to the podcast to how specific yoga poses and breathing strategies resulted in positive impact on singer’s performance by decreasing stress and anxiety. Relevant research specifically related to breathing, heart rate, and anxieties are discussed in this podcast. 

Beyond yoga, here are some additional tips to keep your heart healthy:

  • Singing is a cardiovascular activity. You should consider a regular exercise program.
  • Eat healthy foods. Minimize sodium intake.
  • Get enough rest to refresh and rejuvenate.
  • Avoid smoking and alcohol.
  • Keep cholesterol and sugar levels within a healthy range.
  • Maintain a healthy body weight.