My Little Life Hacks

People always ask me how I am able to accomplish so many things in a day. How I juggle my family time, business PLUS me time. Some asked if I even still sleep at night (hopefully it isn't because I look like a vampire!). I guess when one leads such a busy life like mine when time is always of the essence, we have to hack through the system of busy-ness and find ways to get through the days happy, feeling productive and fulfilled.Here are some of my life hacks:1) Lemon water in the mornings.Little things count. Even the water we drink. The shift from cold water to room temp lemon water was too easy but had so many benefits for me.It is a big boost to my digestion, it even keeps my skin clear and is said to aid in weight loss! The best benefit of lemon water is it balances the PH level in our bodies, which keeps our cells healthy and even prevents cancer. (You can google the benefits of lemon water and you'll find so many benefits)2) Coco sugar instead of granulated sugar.While I cannot avoid white sugar that is inside sweet cooked or baked items, I can at least control the type of sugar I take when it is added on to the food like oatmeal, cereal or fresh fruit. When I need to add sugar, I have shifted to coco sugar. Coco sugar is healthier than white granulated sugar or even brown sugar. It has low glycemic levels and is loaded with vitamins and minerals.3) Eat a good breakfast even if you’re in a hurry.To stay balanced, I've started to consciously start off my day with healthy fuel. It is sometimes easy to just skip breakfast when mornings are rushed and hurried. But with the right breakfast, even a small bowl of oatmeal makes a big difference. Oats are packed with carbs and protein which give you energy, plus the fiber aids in digestion and better absorption of nutrients.I grew up with our Dad encouraging us to take Quaker Oats oatmeal in the mornings. It was the teen rebel in me, plus the fact that he was pushing us to consume oatmeal alongside the bad smelling cod liver oil, so I didn't really welcome it with open arms. It was admittedly a struggle, but I realize now that you can make oatmeal more exciting if you eat it with a piece of fruit or add milk. There are even chocolate, banana, apple and cinnamon variations now.Also, it helps to think that you don't have to take in a LOT of oatmeal to feel the difference. When I wake up a bit full and without an appetite, I just take even 10 spoonfuls and it's enough to keep me full and energized till lunchtime. I also love that it keeps my metabolism active and helps me keep my trips to the toilet more frequent. Excuse me for the TMI portion but face it, proper digestion is a key to health, feeling good and light through the day, plus looking good and not feel bloated!If I have to leave early, I have breakfast on the go,Or when I reach the office.Dad was right about the Quaker Oats after all, and I'm learning more and more about the benefits of it by trying different variations and also checking the website for recipes.4) Workout or just inject active time in the day.We all know the benefits of exercise. 30 minutes a day, 3x a week. It is a challenge but it is something worth striving for. I try to schedule meetings geographically. If I have a Makati/ BGC day I bring my gym bag and squeeze in or end with a workout in my gym, Curves. If I have a Pasig day, I end up in Curves Eastwood. I'm thankful Curves lets us get a travel pass to go from one branch to another.Just as I finished my Crossfit program, it made way for another physical activity- dance practice for my high school homecoming. We have been practicing almost 3x a week evenings the past 3 months. The workout in the company of friends was a boost to my body, heart and mind.Release those happy hormones. Sweating it out is always worth it.5) Mind your teeth.According to cosmetic dentist Houston based surgeon assistant Edward, oral health should play a major part of overall well-being. Having healthy teeth and gums, isn't only a case of hygiene or looking good, tooth decay and gum disease are causes for illness, pain and can actually cause bigger problems like heart disease.On my recent trip abroad, I finally succumbed and bought myself a Sonicare toothbrush and I would go as far as saying it is one of my favorite gadgets of the year!I always wondered what would make a toothbrush worth Php 2-4,000 pesos, thinking it was like a regular electric toothbrush that costs around 400 pesos. But now I know. I even told my friend- once you go Sonicare, you can and won't ever go back to a regular toothbrush. Sonicare toothbrushes vibrate (as opposed to how electric toothbrushes rotate) and when turned on it delivers around 30,000 strokes per minute. The built in timer turns it on and off automatically for 2 minutes so you know when you've brushed enough. It really gives me a different kind of clean in my mouth and I'm thinking the investment in these toothbrushes will pay off in the long run vs spending for dental repairs.6) Make an effort to look good.:)Those who know me from childhood might find this tip oout of character. Being the late bloomer that I am, I am now a believer in the notion that a little fixing up offers many returns in the mood, happiness and success department. even just a little concealer, powder, lipstick, and blush is an effective pick-me-upper when I'm feeling low and not-in-the-mood-for-anything. And when I remember my fellow SoMom and make up artist. Eli, I also fix up my eyebrows with a brush and pencil!Taking a bit of time and effort to fix yourself up not only makes you feel ready to face the world, it also keeps you in the habit of caring for yourself, and as much as we hate to admit, when we look good outside and we feel good inside, it often also helps us relate to people better and vice versa.7) Make moments count.If you have had to spend a full day away from home, and have just a couple of hours (or even minutes) left with the kids before their bedtime, make it count! Connect through touch and eye contact. Give them lots of hugs. Doing something with them that THEY love doing like playing together.Then when moments of utter sweetness come along, make sure to live and relish in the moment. After all these are really the moments we live for.