4 Ways to Use Your Smart Speaker to Build Healthier Habits

If you own an Amazon Alexa, say hello to your new personal health coach. Alexa is the powerhouse behind smart speakers such as Amazon Echo and Echo Dot. These digital dynamos have built-in functions that not only tally your grocery list but also provide you with workout routines, healthy meal plans, calorie counts, daily affirmations, guided meditation and more. Alexa can even help you sleep better.

Alexa Skills for Good Health

1. Food and Nutrition

Over the past year, 24-hour access to the refrigerator has done a disservice to the waistlines of many. Yet, tasty, healthier choices are just one voice command away through Alexa.

• AllRecipes. Don’t want to make a grocery run? Ask Alexa to pull together a recipe based on the ingredients in your refrigerator. This skill can also create a shopping list and give you step-by-step directions for making a healthy, delicious dinner in a snap.
• Healthy Snack Tips. If you’re tempted by cravings, this skill offers ideas for healthier snacking choices to keep munchie guilt at bay.
• My Better Nutrition. This skill provides daily nutrition tips and healthy recipes, answers questions, and gives pep talks to keep you on track. It also offers information on nutrition for kids, teens and college students; nutrition ideas for men; and nutrition strategies for cold prevention and healing.
• Nutrition Label. Alexa can tell you the calorie, carbohydrate, fat and protein content of nearly any food, including some restaurants.
• Save the Food. Don’t let that good nutrition go to waste. Alexa can tell you how to properly store fruits, veggies and other foods to best preserve nutrients and so they stay fresh longer. That’s good news for your body and your wallet.
• Track by Nutritionix or Meal Tracker. Track the food you eat with one of these skills. Get a snapshot of your eating habits that may surprise you — and motivate you to make some changes.

2. Exercise

That voice in your head nudging you to get off the couch can become the voice on your coffee table giving you specific exercises to get moving. Alexa opens a world of fitness possibilities for every interest and level.

• 5-Minute Plank Workout. Squeeze in a quick ab strengthener between Zoom calls.
• 7-Minute Workout. Bump it up a bit with this skill, which is customized to your fitness level and goals, with high-energy music to motivate you. Change-up your workouts each day for variety and challenge.
• Chair Yoga; Body Works: Senior Workout; or Daily Stretch. If you have physical limitations, check out one of these Alexa skills. They are also ideal if you just need a break without leaving your desk. In the time it takes to make a fresh pot of coffee, find gentle exercises to reenergize, stretch, increase flexibility and build stamina.
• Yoga Studio or Yoga Trainer. If yoga is your go-to for flexibility or if you want to attempt your first handstand in the privacy of your own home, open one of these skills. Alexa is your personal, no-judgement yoga instructor and guide for various yoga positions for all skill levels. A Downward Dog could soon become your upward fitness accomplishment!

3. Reduce Stress

Today, more than ever, we all need to manage stress, which takes a toll on us physically and mentally.

• Be Mindful, One-Minute Mindfulness or Guided Meditation. Reduce stress and anxiety while strengthening your resilience by practicing mindfulness with one of these Alexa skills. Meditation can also reduce blood pressure and improve sleep as part of a daily wellness regimen.
• Breathe. Controlled breathing is another way to reduce stress. Just say, “Alexa, start deep breathing,” to being a calming 5-minute breathing exercise. Do this several times a day to exhale your stress away.
• Daily Affirmation Skills. Managing stress is essential because a healthy mind is the gateway to a healthy body. And a healthy mind starts with positive thoughts. Boost your positivity anytime by asking for an affirmation. An uplifting message each day may be just the inspiration you need to push through life’s challenges and create a healthier mindset.
• Real Simple Relax. Find hints and tips that help you benefit from consistent meditation practice.

4. Sleep Soundly

Sometimes it’s difficult to turn off your brain at night. As your mind races through a virtual to-do list and sorts through worries, your shut-eye benefits slip away. Turn to your Alexa smart speaker to help ease you into sleep.

• Sleep Sounds: Beautiful Dream. This Alexa skill reads short bedtime stories to help you relax and refocus your mind for more restful sleep. It can also play a lullaby or soothing song to lull you to sleep.
• Sleep Sounds or Sleep and Relaxation Sounds. Open one of these skills and ask Alexa to play nature sounds such as rain, ocean waves, crickets or more than 100 other sleep-inducing sounds, including a purring cat or crackling fireplace. Ask Alexa to play for a scheduled period of time or all night.

Health Beyond the Smart Speaker

When you need ideas for healthier habits, just ask Alexa. When you need a friendly, personal healthcare partner, ask North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health. We offer a lifetime of care for all your healthcare needs.