On The + Side: Sharks and Summer Serenades

Whether you’re quarantining in stride or getting a little stir crazy, On The + Side is here to help you navigate life’s challenging times. With positive stories and tips in each edition, we aim to lift your spirits and find the bright spots in an otherwise difficult year.

Positive Focus

Too much time dedicated to the news can be a bad thing for our overall health and well-being. Thankfully, we’ve picked out some of our favorite stories this week to make your day a little happier.

• Shark Week kicks off August 9 and will feature Will Smith, Mike Tyson and several of your other favorite celebs. Check out this guide to Shark Week 2020 for everything you need to know. (Cue the Jaws theme song.)
• To help fight back against the pandemic, UCF launched a graduate-level course for speech language pathology students to target COVID-related skills. Although students are taking classes virtually right now, they have received supply kits to practice these important skills from home.
• To make sure children see themselves represented in learning materials, one seven-year-old is raising money to stock classrooms with books featuring people of color and crayons representing all skin colors. Learn more of her inspiring story here.

Wellness Boosts

COVID-19 has thrown our whole world upside down, so it’s more important than ever to focus on our health. Check out our favorite wellness boosts for the week.

• What do the healthiest cities in the world have in common? People walk a lot. While incorporating a whole new fitness routine into your life can be overwhelming, experts tout the benefits of adding a few extra steps to your day.
• Sleep is key for boosting our immunity and recharging our bodies after a long day of work. Check out these 12 tips for falling asleep faster and improving your overall sleep hygiene.
• Did you know that August is National Peach Month? Cooking Light shares 60 delicious peach recipes we need to add to our meal plans immediately! (P.S. Not only is it healthier to eat produce in season, but it is also better for our budgets.)
• If you’re entertaining at home this summer, check out these tips from a professional caterer on how to properly host a contactless outdoor party that actually allows socially distancing.

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

Additional Resources

From classical music to rage therapy, we all cope with challenges in different ways. We share some of our favorite helpful resources to keep you entertained and educated during the pandemic.

• In need of your next music fix? The Orlando Philharmonic has kicked off their Summer Serenades! Every Saturday in August, they are hosting free virtual shows, which you can learn more about here. If you are able to do so, you are also welcome to make a donation.
• If your kids are looking to learn more about the social justice movement, these 15 books for children and teens are the perfect place to start a dialogue on race and racism.
• For a unique way of dealing with stress, the Coping Lab in Winter Park will offer a socially distanced space to meditate through rage. Learn more about this new spot in town.
• Looking for a good laugh? Apple created a funny-because-it’s-true video series about the #WorkFromHome life. You’ll pick up more than your share of relatable moments in there!

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.