The Science of Kindness P. 14 McKee Botanical Garden Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

Did you know there are scientifically proven benefits of being kind? Practice kindness all year round and especially on Random Acts of Kindness Week, Feb. 14-20, 2021.

Kindness Increases Energy

“About half of participants in one study reported that they feel stronger and more energetic after helping others; many also reported feeling calmer and less depressed, with increased feelings of selfworth” Christine Carter, UC Berkeley, Greater Good Science Center.

Kindness Increases Happiness

A 2010 Harvard Business School survey of happiness in 136 countries found that people who are altruistic—in this case, people who were generous financially, such as with charitable donations—were happiest overall.

Kindness Increases Lifespan

“People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains. Giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease. People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status and many more. This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week or going to church.” Christine Carter, Author, “Raising Happiness; In Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents”

Kindness Decreases Anxiety

A group of highly anxious individuals performed at least six acts of kindness a week. After one month, there was a significant increase in positive moods, relationship satisfaction and a decrease in social avoidance in socially anxious individuals. University of British Columbia Study.

Kindness Decreases Blood Pressure

Committing acts of kindness lowers blood pressure. According to Dr. David R. Hamilton, acts of kindness create emotional warmth, which releases a hormone known as oxytocin. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure and, therefore, oxytocin is known as a “cardioprotective” hormone. It protects the heart by lowering blood pressure. The positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who witnessed the act, improving their mood and making them significantly more likely to “pay it forward.” This means one good deed in a crowded area can create a domino effect and improve the day of dozens of people! Jamil Zaki, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Stanford University for Scientific American, July 26, 2016. Get inspired for Random Act of Kindness Week at randomactsofkindness.org. You can download free calendars and get kindness ideas.

The Science of Kindness

2021

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McKee Botanical Garden Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary Since Reopening In 2001

McKee Botanical Garden is celebrating its 20th Anniversary since re-opening in 2001. In order to celebrate how far the Garden has come, we must first revisit its rich history.

McKee Jungle Gardens was the vision of land developers Arthur McKee and Waldo Sexton, who purchased the 80-acre tropical hammock in 1922 with the intention of cultivating citrus. The property’s natural beauty was deemed too special in its native state to disturb, so McKee and Sexton identified a new purpose for the land and created McKee Jungle Gardens. In the 1950s, this exquisite piece of land was “hailed as one of the botanical wonders of the world, home to over 2,000 species of native and exotic plants.” As central Florida developed in the 1970s, attendance at the Gardens waned, and McKee was forced to close its gates. All but 18 acres were developed, and the heart of the Garden laid dormant for 20 years.

That could have been the end of the story. After a successful and unprecedented $9 million campaign, the remaining 18 acres were purchased and McKee’s restoration to its original grandeur began. With bare hands, basic tools, and unimaginable heart, volunteers of every age cleared the trails to reveal once again the jungle’s treasures.

In November 2001, McKee Botanical Garden opened its gates to a crowd of 700 curious and enthusiastic visitors. Since then, nearly 800,000 people have walked through the Garden’s gates to experience the magic of McKee. In addition, the Garden currently has over 4,500 loyal McKee members. Hundreds of educational classes, workshops, and camps have been held for McKee members and visitors of all ages. Thousands of people have come from across the state of Florida and beyond to enjoy the Garden’s annual special events including 11

Waldo Sexton and Arthur McKee at the orginal McKee Jungle Gardens

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