This Sunday, November 2, The clocks will go back one hour with the arrival of winter time. Although this adjustment seeks to make better use of sunlight and save energy, For many people it represents a real annoyance. Sleeping poorly, feeling tired or disoriented during the day are common effects of the time change, especially during the first days of adaptation.
According to a survey conducted by Amazon Alexa, 41% of Hispanics say that schedule changes significantly affect their quality of sleep, while 32% report that their mental and emotional health is more compromised than their physical health after a bad night’s rest.
The impact is not minor: Disruption of daily routines and sleep patterns can lead to irritability, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating for several days. However, technology also offers practical tools to facilitate this transition, and Voice assistants, like Alexa, have become valuable allies in maintaining well-being during these adjustment periods.
Smart routines to adapt to the new schedule
One of the most useful features of Alexa is the possibility of programming automatic routines that are activated at a specific time without having to say a voice command. These routines allow you to create more consistent habits and regain balance in the days after the time change.
Featured Routines in the Alexa app work as ready-to-use templates. For example, when activating the “Start my day” routine, simply say “Alexa, start my day” and the assistant will inform you about the weather, the news, and your schedule. It is a simple way to start the day with order and mental clarity, just when time confusion is greatest.
Among the most popular routines are:
* “Alexa, start my day”: Alexa will wish you a good morning, share a fun fact, and play your briefing.
* “Alexa, activate the Good Night routine”: ideal for relaxing the environment before going to sleep; Alexa will wish you good night and play soft sounds or ambient music.
* “Alexa, activate ASMR mode”: an option that transforms your bedroom into a calm space with relaxing sounds, perfect for falling asleep.
These routines not only facilitate the organization of the day, but also help synchronize the body and mind with the new schedule, reducing the feeling of tiredness or disorientation.
How to create your own custom routine
If you prefer to adapt the routines to your needs, you can schedule automatic actions from the Alexa app.
To do it:
1) Open the Alexa app and select More – Routine.
2) In the When section, choose the time or event that will activate the routine.
3) Then, under Add Action, select the tasks you want Alexa to perform (like turning on lights, playing music, or giving you reminders).
4) Finally, press Save.
This way, you can configure that every day, at 7 in the morning, Alexa wakes you up with soft music, tells you the temperature and reminds you to drink water or take a short walk. These small automated habits make adjusting to the new schedule more bearable.
Beyond technology: tips for your well-being
Voice assistants can be a great support tool, but they are not a substitute for good sleep hygiene practices. Brain health and well-being expert Candy Calderón explains that, “when sleep is affected, many other areas of our lives are affected, including our mental health. During time change, sleep disturbances are a risk factor that can alter our emotional regulation and negatively affect our well-being.”
To minimize the effects of time change, specialists recommend:
* Maintain consistent schedules: Go to bed and get up at the same time, even on weekends.
* Expose yourself to natural light during the day, especially in the morning, to help your biological clock adjust.
* Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the afternoon, as they interfere with the quality of sleep.
* Reduce screen time at least an hour before bed, as blue light delays melatonin production.
* Do moderate physical activity, such as walking or stretching, to release tension and promote deep rest.
By combining these habits with Alexa’s smart features, you can create a more balanced and healthy environment. Setting up sleep routines, adjusting home lighting or listening to relaxing music are small actions that help the body adapt faster to the new schedule.
Balance is in the routine
Although the daylight saving time change may seem like a simple 60-minute adjustment, its impact on physical and emotional well-being is real. Having tools like Alexa can make the difference between a few days of fatigue and a smooth transition.
Taking advantage of technology consciously, without completely depending on it, is the key. With personalized routines, healthy habits, and a focus on rest, time change can stop being a disruption and become an opportunity to improve organization and daily well-being.
Keep reading:
* Time change in the US: benefits of winter time
* Change to winter time 2025 in the US: does the clock go back or forward an hour?
* Winter schedule: How will the time change affect flights?
The post Time change: this is how Alexa can help you adapt to winter time appeared first on Veritas News.
