Create a 'Good Night' Alexa Routine with Sleep Sounds and Lights Off

Learn how to set up a relaxing 'Good Night' routine with Alexa, complete with sleep sounds and lights off.

Posted by Erica Lane on April 18, 2025 · 5 mins read

Create a “Good Night” Alexa Routine with Sleep Sounds and Lights Off

Introduction

After a long, busy day, there’s nothing more relaxing than knowing you’re just steps away from a restful night’s sleep. Imagine this: you’ve settled into your cozy bed, with soft moonlight spilling through the curtains, and your favorite sleep sounds playing softly in the background. With a simple voice command to Alexa, the lights dim or turn off completely. Sounds heavenly, right? Well, you can create this delightful “Good Night” routine effortlessly using Alexa, and if you’re a little adventurous, you can enhance it with some customizations using Node-RED. Let’s dive into how to make this blissful experience a reality!

Step-by-step setup guide

Step 1: Create Your Basic “Good Night” Routine on Alexa

  1. Open the Alexa App: Launch the app on your smartphone.

  2. Select “Routines”: Tap on the “More” icon in the lower right corner, then select “Routines”.

  3. Create a New Routine: Tap the plus (+) icon to add a new routine.

  4. Set the Trigger:
    • Tap “When this happens”.
    • Choose “Voice” and enter “Good night”. This way, Alexa will start the routine whenever you say this phrase.
  5. Add Action - Sleep Sounds:
    • Tap on “Add action”.
    • Select “Music” or “Skills”, depending on where your preferred sleep sounds are accessible. You can choose from popular music streaming services or even Alexa’s built-in sleep sounds.
  6. Add Action - Turn Off Lights:
    • After adding sleep sounds, tap “Add action” again.
    • Choose “Smart Home” and select “Control Device”.
    • Select the lights you want to turn off. Make sure they are compatible with Alexa.
  7. Final Steps:
    • Review your routine in the summary, and tap save. Voila! You’ve created a basic “Good Night” routine with Alexa.

Step 2: Enhance Your Routine with Node-RED (Optional)

If you’re eager to explore further with Node-RED, you can incorporate even more specific features into your routine:

  1. Set Up Node-RED: Make sure you have Node-RED installed and running. If you don’t have it yet, check out the Node-RED documentation.

  2. Create Custom Flow: You can create a flow that not only turns off the lights but also plays a timed sleep sound or sends notifications. Check out node-red flow examples for inspiration.

  3. Integrate with Alexa: There are various ways to connect Node-RED with Alexa. For instance, you could use the node red alexa local module to handle the voice commands better.

  4. Test Your Flow: After setting everything up, make sure you test your flow to ensure everything is working as expected!

Helpful Tip Block

  • Experiment with Sleep Sounds: Not all sleep sounds work for everyone. Take time to listen to different options available on your preferred platform. You may enjoy nature sounds, white noise, or even soothing melodies!

  • Customize Lighting: Instead of just turning lights off, consider dimming them to a soft glow or using colored lights for a more serene atmosphere right before bedtime.

  • Routine Timing: You can also schedule the routine to run at a specific time, which is particularly helpful for those who have a set bedtime.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

  • Alexa Does Not Recognize Your Routine Command: Ensure that the voice trigger is unique and not similar to any other routine commands. You may want to experiment with different phrases.

  • Sleep Sounds Don’t Play: Check that your streaming service is linked and authorized in the Alexa app. If you’ve chosen a skill, ensure that it’s enabled.

  • Lights Don’t Turn Off: Verify that the smart lights are correctly integrated with your Alexa app. Sometimes you may need to say, “Alexa, discover my devices,” to refresh the connection.

  • Node-RED Failures: If your Node-RED flow doesn’t work, ensure that your node configurations are correct. Checking the debug tab can help identify issues. Also, confirm that the modules are installed properly.

Final Thoughts

Creating a “Good Night” routine with Alexa is a straightforward and rewarding task that can transform your evenings. Adding sleep sounds and dimming the lights can help signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down, enhancing your relaxation. And if you feel inspired, tapping into Node-RED’s capabilities can add a fun twist to your smart home automation.

Give it a try, and enjoy your peaceful nights! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment. Rest easy!

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