One of the most important tools of communication, though often neglected, is the voice. The tone, the quality of voice and the articulacy can bring us closer or take us away from our interlocutor. There are people who feel that their voice doesn’t help them express their thoughts and emotions and desire to make changes: to improve their voice and therefore their speech so they can better relate to the interlocutors or their audience.
If you are one of them, here are 5 simple steps that, once applied for at least two weeks, can be the beginning of amazing transformation of your communication.
1. Breathe deeply
Do you know that, according to studies issued by American universities, deep voices are more persuasive and more pleasant to hear? This exercise will help your voice gradually sound deeper and deeper from your chest diaphragm gaining a larger volume: With one hand just below the chest on the solar plexus and the other on the neck, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth; during inhalation the solar plexus should extend horizontally and during exhalation to contract (you control this with the hand resting on the solar plexus), while with the other hand you ensure that the chest, shoulders and back remain relaxed. You should inhale for 5 seconds and exhale for 5 seconds.
2. Practice in reading aloud
Initially choose phrases and then texts and read them aloud. Even better read your favorite literature or poems. Gradually add “colors” to your voice, as well as the deep diaphragmatic breathing of the above exercise. Dare to reach the exaggeration. Play with intensity, rhythm, pauses and ripples in the sentences. Repeat many times. This exercise will gradually “unlock” your feeling and the voice will become more and more steady, loud and lyrical.
3. Visualize
Let your imagination go free and visualize yourself speaking smoothly and clearly with a deep and confident voice. Visualize the speech you make over and over again. Each time you repeat the visualization, “see” and “hear” your improved voice and telling. When the time comes to experience the fact, you will be surprised by the improvement of your performance!
4. Practice with friends
Something bolder! After practicing enough in the previous steps, ask a person you trust, to listen to your speech and ask for his/her opinion. As you understand, it needs to be someone with patience and love for you. At first, read a text aloud and then narrate him a story. Listen to his remarks and repeat the same or a different text in a few days, after having practiced! If you still feel uncomfortable of being exposed, speak alone in front of a big mirror or make a video!
5. Laugh out loud!
People who laugh often and loudly, are more connected to their feelings and express them more easily. In addition, the chest diaphragm unintentionally and intensively moves and breathing deepens. In this way their whole substance supports what they say. Therefore, their voice has volume and reflects in a large extent the identity of their personality. So, watch old comedies or make a habit of joke nights like people used to do before the mobile era. You could probably participate in a wellness group of laughing. Believe me, you leave relieved from any concern and… with a better voice!
