Challenge: Drink one full glass of water before coffee, tea, or cocoa.

Why it helps: Winter air is dry. Starting the day with water helps reduce stiffness in the vocal folds and supports easier phonation from the first sound you make.

Challenge: Carry a water bottle with you all day—especially to rehearsals and lessons.

Why it helps: Having water nearby encourages frequent small sips, which support steady hydration rather than big gulps here and there.

Challenge: At rehearsal, take two sips of water every time the conductor stops to talk.

Why it helps: Linking sips to natural pauses in rehearsal builds an easy, repeatable habit that supports vocal stamina.

Challenge: Choose warm or room-temperature water instead of ice-cold drinks.

Why it helps: Warm water is more comfortable for many singers and avoids the temporary tightness that very cold liquids can cause.

Challenge: Add crushed blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries to at least one bottle or glass of water today.

Why it helps: Light flavor often encourages more frequent sipping, and hydrating consistently is the real goal.

Challenge: Run a room humidifier tonight, or place a bowl of water near a heat source.

Why it helps: Indoor heating is very drying. Adding moisture to the air helps keep the vocal tract from feeling parched overnight.

Challenge: Lean over a sink of comfortably warm (not hot) water and take 2–3 gentle breaths of steam or take a warm shower.

Why it helps: Steam offers direct surface moisture to the upper airway and can feel soothing when the environment is very dry.

Challenge: Include at least two servings of water-rich foods today (such as fruit or vegetables).

Why it helps: Hydration from food is absorbed more slowly, supporting a more stable fluid balance throughout the day.

Challenge: If possible, lower your thermostat by just one degree.

Why it helps: Slightly cooler rooms can reduce how aggressively the heating system runs, which may lessen air dryness.

Challenge: Aim to take a small sip of water about every 30 minutes today.

Why it helps: Frequent, modest sips support steadier hydration than infrequent large drinks.

Challenge: During rehearsal, sip water between sections or pieces—not just at the very end.

Why it helps: Supporting hydration throughout the rehearsal keeps the voice more responsive and reduces end-of-night fatigue.

Challenge: Take several sips of water right after your vocal warm-ups.

Why it helps: Warm-ups increase airflow and tissue activity; a bit of water afterward supports comfort as you move into repertoire.

Challenge: Use a note on your phone or a simple tally to track how much water you drink today.

Why it helps: Many of us underestimate our intake. Tracking builds awareness and can highlight patterns on heavy singing days.

Challenge: After a brief straw phonation sequence (SOVT), drink 4–6 oz of water.

Why it helps: Combining semi-occluded vocal tract exercises with hydration can help lower perceived effort and re-balance airflow.

Challenge: At holiday gatherings, notice when you start to raise your voice. Step closer, turn your body toward the person, and sip water instead of shouting over the noise.

Why it helps: Loud social talking plus dry environments is a common source of vocal fatigue in December.

Challenge: Focus on drinking water steadily in the hours before your performance.

Why it helps: Systemic hydration (what actually reaches the tissues) depends on what you drink well ahead of time, not just right before walking on stage.

Challenge: Bring a small thermos of warm water backstage or to the choir loft.

Why it helps: Having warm water available right where you sing increases the likelihood you’ll keep sipping throughout the event.

Challenge: After a rehearsal or performance, spend the next hour sipping water.

Why it helps: Post-singing hydration supports tissue recovery and may reduce how fatigued the voice feels the next morning.

Challenge: Pair good hydration with going to bed a bit earlier tonight.

Why it helps: Sleep supports overall fluid regulation and healing; together with hydration, it can make the morning voice feel noticeably better.

Challenge: Enjoy your favorite warm drink—cocoa, tea, or a latte—and pair it with a glass of water.

Why it helps: Caffeinated and sugary beverages don’t count as hydration, but they can absolutely be part of a celebration when balanced with water.

You made it through 20 days—your voice thanks you.