On The + Side: Flamingo Sightings, Soccer Lessons and 407 Dates

As the state begins to open back up, we remain optimistic about the future ahead. Life looks very different from the way it did just a few months ago, but during this time, we have watched our community band together and inspire us in new ways. In this week’s edition of On The + Side, we continue to share the stories we loved and the resources to help you navigate our new normal.

Positive Focus

What uplifting stories have made you smile lately? From helping essential workers to celebrating the Class of 2020 graduates, we are here to bring some positive news to your life.

• Two Dartmouth College students created an app to help essential workers gain access to much-needed supplies. So far, the app has already helped hundreds of essential workers!
• As high school and college graduation season continues, grads everywhere can celebrate with the Graduate Together multimedia commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16. This event features a variety of speakers, including Barack and Michelle Obama, Lebron James, Malala Yousafzai, the Jonas Brothers and more.
• America’s favorite teacher, Mr. Feeny from Boy Meets World, shared this powerful message in honor of National Teachers Day.
• For your dose of adorable animals: Meet Sarge, the German Shepherd who takes care of injured fawns. Cue the awwww sound effects.

Wellness Boosts

Healthy mind, healthy body. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to bolster your physical and mental wellness while the gyms remain closed.

• Breathe in, breathe out. Ten Percent Happier is hosting live guided meditations every weekday at 3 p.m., featuring renowned meditation teachers from across the globe. Learn more on their website here.
• Workout Wednesdays. The UCF Recreation & Wellness Center is hosting free Workout Wednesdays on the @ucf.edu Instagram account! You can start at 9 a.m. for HIIT class, tune in at lunchtime for a 12:30 barre class or end the day with cardio kickboxing at 5:30 p.m. If you miss the class, you can still watch it for 24 hours on Instagram or check out virtual workout archives on their YouTube page.
• Boost your energy naturally. If you’re looking to cut caffeine but find yourself feeling sluggish throughout the day, not to worry! This article rounds up 11 natural remedies that will help you energize without the need for caffeine.
• Dance it out. For those learning how to dance, why not learn from the best? Orlando Ballet is hosting Facebook live dance classes, ranging from ballet to hip hop to flamenco and more.
• Bend it like Beckham. From fitness videos to soccer drills, Major League Soccer is offering free online training to get you in tip top shape.

For the most up-to-date guidelines on taking care of yourself during this global pandemic, visit the CDC’s website.

Additional Resources

These days, most of us spend the bulk of our time at home, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Check out some of our latest favorite resources that you can enjoy from a safe social distance.

• Orange County and Visit Orlando have launched 407 Dates, a campaign to encourage support of local restaurants, livestreamed local events and more. You can learn more about these fun virtual date nights here.
• Art enthusiasts can virtually visit the Morse Museum in Winter Park through their free audio tours. Learn about Tiffany glass and other popular pieces from the museum’s collection.
• Follow the butterflies. For a few moments of Zen, visit the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory livestream. We even spotted a few flamingos!
• Want to explore the African savanna? You can take this free 3-hour livestream safari tour, interacting with an expert ranger in real time at sunrise or sunset.
• With many of us working from home, video calls have become the new normal. If you’re still on the hunt for the perfect Zoom background, Visit Orlando has you covered with these images of famous Central Florida hotspots.
• In the midst of COVID-19, fraudsters are using these uncertain times to prey on everyday people. We’re seeing greater rates of phishing through social media, email and text messages. Learn to protect yourself from identity theft during our free webinar on May 20 at 6 p.m. For more information and to register, click here.

We’ll be back next week with more positive stories and resources to make this time a little easier for everyone. To get notifications when we post a new issue, subscribe to On The + Side.

For the latest COVID-19 updates from Addition Financial, please visit our response page.