How Past Traumas Can Affect Your Voice (And How to Heal It)

"I didn't realize how much my singing voice (and prior bullying with that specifically) was connected to my confidence all around. As I am becoming more accepting of my singing voice, I have found my voice even stronger in other situations."

This is something I hear all the time. 

Something I haven’t really addressed all that much… 

But with everything that’s happened over the last few weeks, I thought this would be the perfect time to talk about how trauma (whether physical, emotional, or mental) can have a powerful impact on your voice. 

Sometimes… without you even realizing it. 

And while I’d never tell anyone to skip out on therapy (after all, I’m a vocal coach, not a therapist), I can say with 100% certainty that by spending a few minutes each day doing focused, intentional work on your voice can be incredibly healing… 

And not just when it comes to singing, but how you show up in the world. 

Because your voice isn’t just sound. It’s what makes you you.

It carries your emotions, your story, your truth. But what happens when past traumas—whether emotional, physical, or both—start messing with the way you sing?

The truth is, trauma doesn’t just live in your mind. 

It lives in your body. 

And yep, that includes your vocal folds. 

Maybe you were told to be quiet as a kid, or maybe you’ve faced rejection, vocal injury, or anxiety that makes your throat feel like it’s on lockdown. 

Whatever it is, those experiences shape how you use your voice. 

And not always in a good way.

How Trauma Messes with Your Singing

1. Tension & Strain
   Trauma triggers that fight-or-flight response, and for singers, that means tight jaw, neck, shoulders—the whole package. When your body is locked up, it’s really hard to let your voice flow freely.

2. Breath Control Issues
   Stress and trauma often lead to shallow breathing or breath-holding (hello, anxiety). If you can’t access deep, steady breath support, good luck holding those notes without feeling like you’re running a marathon.

3. Unconscious Vocal Holding Patterns
   Ever find yourself holding back? Maybe you speak softer than you need to, or push your voice harder than you should. That’s trauma talking, and over time, it creates bad habits that limit your vocal freedom.

4. Fear of Being Heard
   If you’ve ever been shut down, criticized, or made to feel like your voice doesn’t matter, it makes total sense that you’d struggle with confidence. But the problem? Singing without confidence can keep you from accessing your full vocal range and power.

How Straw Phonation Helps You Heal & Find Your Voice Again

I know, I know—singing through a straw sounds kinda ridiculous. But listen, this isn’t just some gimmick. Straw phonation is one of the most effective ways to release tension, retrain your breath, and strengthen your voice without strain.

Here’s how it works:

1. Resets Your Vocal Tension
   Straw phonation creates gentle back pressure that rebalances your vocal folds and helps your voice feel way more effortless. It’s like a vocal massage, undoing years of tension with just a few minutes a day.

2. Rebuilds Breath Control
   Because the straw slows down airflow, it forces you to use your breath efficiently. It’s like resistance training for your lungs—and trust me, your singing will thank you.

3. Creates a Safe Space to Explore Your Voice
   If you’ve ever felt nervous about how your voice sounds, this is a game-changer. Straw phonation lets you sing in a way that feels protected, so you can experiment and reconnect with your voice without fear of judgment.

4. Strengthens Your Voice Without Strain
   If your voice tires out easily, this is your new best friend. Regularly using a Singing / Straw helps build endurance and balance so your voice feels stronger, not overworked.

Ready to Set Your Voice Free?

Healing from vocal trauma isn’t about “fixing” anything—it’s about reclaiming what’s already yours. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your voice, struggled with tension, or just wished singing felt easier, know this: your voice is still there. It just needs the right tools to bring it back to life.

The Singing / Straw isn’t just a tool. It’s a path back to your voice. A way to finally feel at home in your sound.

Ready to let go of tension and start singing with more ease and freedom? 

Grab your Singing / Straw today and take the first step together.

Your not-so-basic-vocal coach,

Whitney Nichole