Smart Home Tech: 5 Tips To Ease Your Stay At Home During COVID-19

We are definitely living in special times. The topic of the day is the coronavirus, and  I am pretty sure that you have already heard a lot about that and most likely you are in quarantine in some part of the world! So, let me help you with a couple of ideas on how to ease your stay at home during the upcoming time using your digital assistant. (Alexa or Google Home)

1. Stay Calm

I know, it seems hard to ignore the fact that most of us are locked down in our homes and that people are panicking all over the world buying more food than they need! Thereby creating the infamous “great toilet paper panic!!

So what can we do?  BREATH !  If you are reading this blog, probably you are breathing, but the real question is: how are you breathing? 

Fight or flight response,  also known as the stress response and it is basically your body reacting to a harmful event or attack. It is a reaction that comes when you feel you need to prepare for danger. And it is useful when you need to face a challenge but what happens when your body is reacting that way throughout the entire day?

According to Harvard Medical School, the stress response supresses the immune system increasing susceptibility to colds and other illnesses. It is clear, we can not just avoid the stressful situations but we can face them in a better way. And how can a smart home help you with that? Ask your Alexa or your Google assistant to guide you through breathing exercises that will help you reduce stress in a short time.

The benefits are enormous: Deep and focused breathing exercises increases your energy, improves your respiratory system, releases muscle tensions and more!

You may be interested in the following skills: “Guided meditation: Meditation of the Day for Calm“, “Guided Sleep Meditation: Ultimate Deep Relaxation“, “Ambient Audio – Rain Sounds for Relax and Sleep”

2. Keep Moving

I know, at home it seems to be harder! At least in Switzerland the government has decided to close all the sport centres, fitness centres, swimming pools, wellness centres/spas and ski resorts due to the recent COVID-19 crisis. So, what can be done from home?

Well, there are many options but if you are looking for a quick workout, ask your Alexa device or your Google Home to start a “7-minute workout“ that will keep you moving! Google Home even has a particularly amusing female voice that guides you through the exercise. Check it out!

You may be interested in: “Five minute workout: Core and cardio” “7-minute workout” “5 minute workout” “The Plank Challenge“

3. Learn A Language!

Alexa can help you to learn a new language with Daily Dose  by Innovative language. Do you wonder how? Just say: “Alexa open Daily Dose”, select the language you want to learn and start!

And if what you need is to translate something while you are studing a new language, just ask your digital assistant to translate it for you.  Or just clear your doubts by asking :”Hey Siri” “How do I say ” and you will learn a new sentence in your desired language.

You may be interested in:

Alexa: “Rosetta Stone“, “Translated”  “DW Learn German Quiz” 

Google Home: “Today’s Word”, “Miss Spellington”

4.Get Educated

Alexa has many skills that could help you to learn something new everyday, for example: Would you love to learn facts about cats? Try Cat Facts. Or would you like to test your general knowledge? Try Amazing facts or Question of the Day!  And if you want to increase your knowledge about multinational companies and brands of the world your game is:  Company Game! 

If you want to keep yourself updated about the coronavirus situation, just ask your Alexa, and she will be able to give you the most recent statistics!

You may be interested in:

Alexa: “Historical Voices“, “The Day in History” “Science News” “Math Mania“

Google Home: “Classic Stories“, “Fun Facts“, “News“

5. Have Fun!

Do you have Alexa and  you love puzzles Escape the Room  is for you! Find your way out the room by picking up items, searching the room and solving some puzzles!

If you have Google Home and you like memory and sound games, test your memory and play: Ding Dong Coconut. Each word is associated with a sound which you will have to remember, so get started, Just say: “Hey Google, let’s play Ding Dong Coconut”

You may be interested in:

Alexa: “Trivia Battle“, “Bingo“, “BlackJack“, “Earplay“, “The Magic door“, “WhereInTheWorld“

Google Home: “BlackJack“, “Planet Quiz”, “Akinator”.

I hope these 5 tips can help you to stay motivated during this time at home! Stay healthy!

If you have any topic you would like to know more about, let me know in the comment section below.