What are the best ways to protect your voice?!
Question:
What are the best ways to protect your voice?
Answers:
Protect it from what, may I ask? Overuse?
Well, you probably could avoid overuse by not using your voice too much!
If that's not possible because you're a speaker or a singer, avoid yelling or cheering. Make sure you're projecting your sound from your diaphragm, not straining your vocal cords for volume. A singer should know how to do that, as well as how to use warm up exercises before belting out a note that's stretching your vocal range.
Another tip is to avoid dairy products, as milk, ice cream, etc can contribute to excess mucous in your nose and throat.
If you're worried about losing your voice from something like a virus or laryngitis, I'd recommend boosting your immune system as a preventative measure. Eat plenty of antioxidant and vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, drink lots of water, keep your diet balanced. You can also take an herbal supplement that includes echinacea for that purpose.