On The + Side: Sea Otters, Scientists and Keeping the Peace

As we adjust to our new routines and way of living, it’s always important to find reasons to smile. In our On The + Side series, our goal is to share the uplifting news and resources that can bring our community together during this time of uncertainty.

Positive Focus

Keeping up with the news can feel emotionally taxing these days, so we’re here to highlight some of the individuals and businesses that have inspired us this week.

• 4Roots, the nonprofit entity founded by John Rivers of 4 Rivers Smokehouse, has launched the Feed The Need Program to feed local families. Although there are programs providing meals for students, these programs are unable to donate food to their families. Feed The Need will fill the gap to help older siblings and relatives as well.
• All over the country, people are flashing lights and clapping at certain times of day to show their support for health care workers, who have worked tirelessly to treat COVID-19 patients. Check out this heartwarming video of residents of the Orlando-based Westminster Towers as they flash their apartment lights to recognize the doctors and nurses at Orlando Health.
• Actor John Krasinski (famous for playing Jim Halpert on The Office) has started a new web series, Some Good News, where he shares positive stories to brighten everyone’s day. The first episode features a cameo from his TV boss, Steve Carrell!
• Although UCF Celebrates The Arts was canceled this year, the university is still celebrating through its new Arts On! initiative. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to post their art on Twitter or Instagram for a chance to be featured. You can click here to find out more on how to participate.
• In response to the toilet paper hoarding that has taken place, Cottonelle has announced their #ShareASquare campaign, encouraging others to share with those who need it most. As they work to restock the shelves, the brand will also donate $1 million to United Way Worldwide’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund, and will donate 1 million rolls of toilet paper over the next few months.

Wellness Boost

In challenging times, it’s important to find ways to maintain your health and happiness. Check out this week’s wellness boosts to help you adjust during our temporary new normal.

• If you find yourself with more time on your hands than usual, consider making a list of goals you’d like to accomplish during the quarantine. For those working at home, you may feel like you have more hours in the day than you used to. Think about how you may want to use that time in a constructive and meaningful way.
• Having trouble keeping the peace when you’re stuck in quarantine? Pop over to the Produce For Kids blog, where they share tips for keeping everyone in good spirits while under one roof. They also have a podcast, with helpful episodes on coping with stress and anxiety, self-care for families and more.
• If your sweet tooth is on overdrive these days, try whipping up a few healthy snacks! American Heart Association shares their berry nuts granola bar recipe, along with their list of staple ingredients for quick healthy meals at home.

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

Additional Resources

We may be limited in our ability to leave the house these days, but there are plenty of ways to stay occupied and entertained while still following all stay-at-home orders. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite resources to get you through the week.

• Travel to Mars. Take a trip to Mars with the Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College from the comfort of your own home! The planetarium is hosting a virtual public show this Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Tune in for an informative night on the red planet.
• Skype a Scientist. Skype A Scientist pairs kids and families with real scientists for video chat Q&A sessions. You can also tune into their live sessions on topics ranging from how ants communicate with each other to how the scientific method can be used to analyze world events.
• Watch the sea otters. The sea otter cam at the Monterey Bay Aquarium is that unexpected stress relief we didn’t know we needed. Although the California-based aquarium is currently closed, they offer a live video feed of their sea otters from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Prepare yourself for a cuteness overload!
• Play Jeopardy. If your brain is looking for a little exercise, you can now play Jeopardy online for free, with a new game offered each day.
• Create money origami. Feeling artistic? Check out this video tutorial on how to make an origami butterfly out of a dollar bill, and tag us at @theadditionfi on your favorite social media platform to show us your creations!
• Watch our free webinar. In these challenging times, many have struggled with their investments. On April 8, we’re hosting a free webinar to teach you how to navigate this quickly-changing environment. You can click here to learn more and register.

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.