Latest news with #StephenKaplan
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts explain why daydreaming could actually be key to a productive day
Every day, we're faced with constant opportunities for stimulation. With 24/7 access to news feeds, emails and social media, many of us find ourselves scrolling endlessly, chasing our next hit of dopamine. But these habits are fuelling our stress – and our brains are begging for a break. What our brains really need is some much-needed time off from concentrating. By not consciously focusing on anything and allowing the mind to drift, this can reduce stress and improve cognitive sharpness. This can often be easier said than done. But attention restoration theory (Art) can help you learn to give your brain space to drift. While this might sound like a fancy name for doing nothing, the theory is supported by neuroscience. Attention restoration theory was first put forward by psychologists Rachel and Stephen Kaplan in 1989. They theorised that spending time in nature can help restore focus and attention. They proposed there are two distinct types of attention: directed attention and undirected attention. Directed attention refers to deliberate concentration – such as studying, navigating through a busy place or posting on social media. Basically, it's any activity where our brain's attention is being directed at a specific task. Undirected attention is when we're not consciously trying to focus on anything – instead allowing things to gently capture our attention without trying. Think listening to chirping birds or watching leaves gently rustling in the breeze. In these instances, your attention naturally drifts without having to force your focus. Without time for undirected attention, it's thought that we experience 'attentional fatigue'. This can make it increasingly difficult to focus and concentrate, while distractions become more likely to grab our attention. In the past, we encountered many situations in our daily lives that we might classify as 'boring'. Moments such as waiting for the bus or standing in the supermarket queue. But these dull moments also gave our minds a chance to switch off. Now, our smartphones give us the opportunity for constant entertainment. Being able to constantly expose ourselves to intense, gripping stimuli offers little mental space for our overworked brains to recover. But attention restoration theory shows us how important it is to create space for moments that allow our brains to 'reset'. Restoring attention The origins of Kaplan and Kaplan's theory can actually be traced back to the 19th century. American psychologist William James was the first to formulate the concept of 'voluntary attention' – attention that requires effort. James' ideas were published against the backdrop of the broader cultural movement of Romanticism, which lauded nature. Romantic ideas about the restorative power of nature have since been backed by research – with numerous studies showing links between time in nature and lower stress levels, better attention, improvements in mental health, mood and better cognitive function. The restorative benefits of nature are backed by neuroscience, too. Neuroimaging has shown that activity in the amygdala – the part of the brain associated with stress and anxiety – was reduced when people were exposed to natural environments. But when exposed to urban environments, this activity was not reduced. Numerous studies have also since backed up Kaplan and Kaplan's theory that time in nature can help to restore attention and wellbeing. One systematic review of 42 studies found an association with exposure to natural environments and improvements in several aspects of cognitive performance – including attention. A randomised controlled trial using neuroimaging of the brain found signs of lower stress levels in adults who took a 40-minute walk in a natural environment, compared to participants who walked in an urban environment. The authors concluded that the nature walk facilitated attention restoration. Research has even shown that as little as ten minutes of undirected attention can result in a measurable uptick in performance on cognitive tests, as well as a reduction in attentional fatigue. Even simply walking on a treadmill while looking at a nature scene can produce this cognitive effect. Time in nature There are many ways you can put attention restoration theory to the test on your own. First, find any kind of green space – whether that's your local park, a river you can sit beside or a forest trail you can hike along. Next, make sure you put your phone and any other distractions away. Or, when you face boring moments during your day, instead of picking up your phone try seeing the pause as an opportunity to let your mind wander for a bit. Each of us may find certain environments to be more naturally supportive in allowing us to switch off and disengage the mind. So, if while trying to put attention restoration theory into practice, you find your brain pulling you back to structured tasks (such as mentally planning your week), this may be sign you should go someplace where it's easier for your mind to wander. Whether you're watching a ladybird crawl across your desk or visiting a vast expanse of nature, allow your attention to be undirected. It's not laziness, it's neurological maintenance. Anna Kenyon is a Senior Lecturer in Population Health at the University of Lancashire. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Experts explain why daydreaming could actually be key to a productive day
Every day, we're faced with constant opportunities for stimulation. With 24/7 access to news feeds, emails and social media, many of us find ourselves scrolling endlessly, chasing our next hit of dopamine. But these habits are fuelling our stress – and our brains are begging for a break. What our brains really need is some much-needed time off from concentrating. By not consciously focusing on anything and allowing the mind to drift, this can reduce stress and improve cognitive sharpness. This can often be easier said than done. But attention restoration theory (Art) can help you learn to give your brain space to drift. While this might sound like a fancy name for doing nothing, the theory is supported by neuroscience. Attention restoration theory was first put forward by psychologists Rachel and Stephen Kaplan in 1989. They theorised that spending time in nature can help restore focus and attention. They proposed there are two distinct types of attention: directed attention and undirected attention. Directed attention refers to deliberate concentration – such as studying, navigating through a busy place or posting on social media. Basically, it's any activity where our brain's attention is being directed at a specific task. Undirected attention is when we're not consciously trying to focus on anything – instead allowing things to gently capture our attention without trying. Think listening to chirping birds or watching leaves gently rustling in the breeze. In these instances, your attention naturally drifts without having to force your focus. Without time for undirected attention, it's thought that we experience 'attentional fatigue'. This can make it increasingly difficult to focus and concentrate, while distractions become more likely to grab our attention. In the past, we encountered many situations in our daily lives that we might classify as 'boring'. Moments such as waiting for the bus or standing in the supermarket queue. But these dull moments also gave our minds a chance to switch off. Now, our smartphones give us the opportunity for constant entertainment. Being able to constantly expose ourselves to intense, gripping stimuli offers little mental space for our overworked brains to recover. But attention restoration theory shows us how important it is to create space for moments that allow our brains to 'reset'. Restoring attention The origins of Kaplan and Kaplan's theory can actually be traced back to the 19th century. American psychologist William James was the first to formulate the concept of 'voluntary attention' – attention that requires effort. James' ideas were published against the backdrop of the broader cultural movement of Romanticism, which lauded nature. Romantic ideas about the restorative power of nature have since been backed by research – with numerous studies showing links between time in nature and lower stress levels, better attention, improvements in mental health, mood and better cognitive function. The restorative benefits of nature are backed by neuroscience, too. Neuroimaging has shown that activity in the amygdala – the part of the brain associated with stress and anxiety – was reduced when people were exposed to natural environments. But when exposed to urban environments, this activity was not reduced. Numerous studies have also since backed up Kaplan and Kaplan's theory that time in nature can help to restore attention and wellbeing. One systematic review of 42 studies found an association with exposure to natural environments and improvements in several aspects of cognitive performance – including attention. A randomised controlled trial using neuroimaging of the brain found signs of lower stress levels in adults who took a 40-minute walk in a natural environment, compared to participants who walked in an urban environment. The authors concluded that the nature walk facilitated attention restoration. Research has even shown that as little as ten minutes of undirected attention can result in a measurable uptick in performance on cognitive tests, as well as a reduction in attentional fatigue. Even simply walking on a treadmill while looking at a nature scene can produce this cognitive effect. Time in nature There are many ways you can put attention restoration theory to the test on your own. First, find any kind of green space – whether that's your local park, a river you can sit beside or a forest trail you can hike along. Next, make sure you put your phone and any other distractions away. Or, when you face boring moments during your day, instead of picking up your phone try seeing the pause as an opportunity to let your mind wander for a bit. Each of us may find certain environments to be more naturally supportive in allowing us to switch off and disengage the mind. So, if while trying to put attention restoration theory into practice, you find your brain pulling you back to structured tasks (such as mentally planning your week), this may be sign you should go someplace where it's easier for your mind to wander. Whether you're watching a ladybird crawl across your desk or visiting a vast expanse of nature, allow your attention to be undirected. It's not laziness, it's neurological maintenance. Anna Kenyon is a Senior Lecturer in Population Health at the University of Lancashire. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Orion Launches New J.P. Morgan SMAs and Model Portfolios on Orion Platforms
Expanded collaboration empowers advisors to deliver customized, tax-aware portfolios backed by world-class investment research OMAHA, Neb., June 18, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Orion, a premier provider of transformative wealthtech solutions for financial advisors and the enterprise firms that serve them, today announced the addition of a diverse lineup of separately managed accounts (SMAs) and model portfolios from J.P. Morgan Asset Management to Orion's platforms. With these new offerings, advisors can deliver a more tailored, tax-efficient investment experience powered by one of the industry's most respected asset managers. The launch includes six equity and municipal bond SMAs, along with J.P. Morgan's Strategic and Tactical ETF Model Portfolios—designed to suit different investing styles and market outlooks. "We're excited to bring J.P. Morgan's SMA and model portfolio strategies to the Orion platform, offering advisors even greater flexibility and choice when building portfolios for their clients," said Ron Pruitt, President of Orion Wealth Management. "By expanding the range of high-quality, professionally managed strategies available on our platform, we continue to empower advisors to deliver investment solutions that help their clients meet their financial goals with confidence." Now available through Orion's platforms within their Unified Managed Account (UMA) portfolio structure: J.P. Morgan SMAs: Large Cap Growth SMA Equity Income SMA Growth Advantage SMA Large Cap Leaders SMA U.S. Equity SMA J.P. Morgan Model Portfolios: Strategic ETF Models Tactical ETF Models "As the industry evolves and personalization becomes more important, we're excited to work with Orion on this expanded offering," said Stephen Kaplan, Head of Customized Solutions at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. "We're pleased to bring the strength of our investment capabilities to more RIAs through SMAs and model portfolio solutions on Orion's growing platform." About Orion Orion is a premier provider of the tech-enabled fiduciary process that transforms the advisor-client relationship by enabling financial advisors to Prospect, Plan, Invest, and Achieve within a single, connected, technology-driven experience. Combined, our brand entities—Orion Advisor Tech, Orion Portfolio Solutions, Brinker Capital Investments, Redtail Technology, and Orion OCIO—create a complete offering that empowers firms to attract new clients seamlessly, connect goals more meaningfully to investment strategies and outcomes, and ultimately track progress toward each investor's unique definition of financial success. Orion services $4.7 trillion in assets under administration and $98.6 billion of wealth management platform assets (as of March 31, 2025) and supports over 7.3 million technology accounts and thousands of independent advisory firms. Today, 17 out of the Top 20 Barron's RIA firms¹ rely on Orion's technology to power their businesses and win for investors. Learn more at ¹ Source: 2024 Top 100 RIA Firms, Barron's, 2024. About J.P. Morgan Asset Management J.P. Morgan Asset Management, with assets under management of $3.7 trillion (as of March 31, 2025), is a global leader in investment management. Its clients include institutions, retail investors, and high net worth individuals in every major market throughout the world. J.P. Morgan Asset Management offers global investment management in equities, fixed income, real estate, hedge funds, private equity, and liquidity. For more information: Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC, an Orion Company, is a registered investment advisor. Wealth Management Assets Under Management include assets managed on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis by Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC ("OPS") and TownSquare Capital, LLC ("TSC") on their proprietary platforms, assets in proprietary and third-party models made available through OPS's Communities platform, and assets in OPS's proprietary models managed on third-party platforms. 1556-R-25155 View source version on Contacts On Orion's behalf: StreetCred PRorion@ Natalie O'Dellnatalie@
Business Wire
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Orion Launches New J.P. Morgan SMAs and Model Portfolios on Orion Platforms
OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Orion, a premier provider of transformative wealthtech solutions for financial advisors and the enterprise firms that serve them, today announced the addition of a diverse lineup of separately managed accounts (SMAs) and model portfolios from J.P. Morgan Asset Management to Orion's platforms. With these new offerings, advisors can deliver a more tailored, tax-efficient investment experience powered by one of the industry's most respected asset managers. The launch includes six equity and municipal bond SMAs, along with J.P. Morgan's Strategic and Tactical ETF Model Portfolios—designed to suit different investing styles and market outlooks. 'We're excited to bring J.P. Morgan's SMA and model portfolio strategies to the Orion platform, offering advisors even greater flexibility and choice when building portfolios for their clients,' said Ron Pruitt, President of Orion Wealth Management. 'By expanding the range of high-quality, professionally managed strategies available on our platform, we continue to empower advisors to deliver investment solutions that help their clients meet their financial goals with confidence.' Now available through Orion's platforms within their Unified Managed Account (UMA) portfolio structure: J.P. Morgan SMAs: Large Cap Growth SMA Equity Income SMA Growth Advantage SMA Large Cap Leaders SMA U.S. Equity SMA J.P. Morgan Model Portfolios: Strategic ETF Models Tactical ETF Models 'As the industry evolves and personalization becomes more important, we're excited to work with Orion on this expanded offering,' said Stephen Kaplan, Head of Customized Solutions at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. 'We're pleased to bring the strength of our investment capabilities to more RIAs through SMAs and model portfolio solutions on Orion's growing platform.' About Orion Orion is a premier provider of the tech-enabled fiduciary process that transforms the advisor-client relationship by enabling financial advisors to Prospect, Plan, Invest, and Achieve within a single, connected, technology-driven experience. Combined, our brand entities—Orion Advisor Tech, Orion Portfolio Solutions, Brinker Capital Investments, Redtail Technology, and Orion OCIO—create a complete offering that empowers firms to attract new clients seamlessly, connect goals more meaningfully to investment strategies and outcomes, and ultimately track progress toward each investor's unique definition of financial success. Orion services $4.7 trillion in assets under administration and $98.6 billion of wealth management platform assets (as of March 31, 2025) and supports over 7.3 million technology accounts and thousands of independent advisory firms. Today, 17 out of the Top 20 Barron's RIA firms¹ rely on Orion's technology to power their businesses and win for investors. Learn more at ¹ Source: 2024 Top 100 RIA Firms, Barron's, 2024. About J.P. Morgan Asset Management J.P. Morgan Asset Management, with assets under management of $3.7 trillion (as of March 31, 2025), is a global leader in investment management. Its clients include institutions, retail investors, and high net worth individuals in every major market throughout the world. J.P. Morgan Asset Management offers global investment management in equities, fixed income, real estate, hedge funds, private equity, and liquidity. For more information: Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC, an Orion Company, is a registered investment advisor. Wealth Management Assets Under Management include assets managed on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis by Orion Portfolio Solutions, LLC ("OPS") and TownSquare Capital, LLC ("TSC") on their proprietary platforms, assets in proprietary and third-party models made available through OPS's Communities platform, and assets in OPS's proprietary models managed on third-party platforms. 1556-R-25155
Montreal Gazette
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Opinion: Politics, democracy and lessons from the rugby pitch
Op Eds As I prepare to step down after 12 years in municipal politics, and as my oldest child prepares to graduate from high school, I find myself reflecting on the surprising places where I've found the most powerful lessons in leadership, resilience and community. One of those places is my daughter's rugby games. The Class of 2025 began high school under circumstances none of us could have ever imagined. Their first year was shaped by lockdowns, mask mandates, classroom 'bubbles' and long stretches of online learning. My three children were among the first in their schools to send their classes home that year when we contracted COVID-19 early in the semester. It was a tough time for everyone, especially for kids looking for connection and normalcy. Yet, something extraordinary happened in the middle of that isolation and difficult time. A longtime rugby coach at my daughter's school, Stephen Kaplan, came out of retirement. He launched a remote rugby program over Zoom, and a group of 12-year-old girls started training from their basements. Coach Stephen sent each of them a ball. Parents and siblings stepped in as training partners. These girls, who had never played a game together in person, began to form a team. And when in-person practices resumed, they showed up. They proudly pulled on ECS jerseys (Miss Edgar's and Miss Cramp's School), learned to tackle and be tackled, and embraced a sport built on physical grit, passing the ball, trust and loyalty. I still remember watching my daughter in her first game. She was fast but small, and I nearly threw up when I saw her tackle someone twice her size. Yet with each game, their smiles grew wider. Their confidence soared. These young women weren't just playing rugby; they were becoming a team in the truest sense. That team taught me something I hadn't fully appreciated in all my years around sports and civic life. Rugby demands fierce competition on the field, but it's followed by camaraderie off it. Players will knock each other down during a game, then film TikToks together afterward. They battle, then they break bread. It's a culture of mutual respect, accountability, and deep connection — qualities that feel increasingly rare in today's polarized world. Winston Churchill famously said, 'Rugby is a hooligan's game played by gentlemen.' I believe politics could learn a lot from rugby. In my role as mayor of Westmount, and previously as a city councillor, I've seen how local government, closest to the people, can be both the most effective and the most human level of public service. When it works, it's because people bring passion, integrity, a willingness to collaborate and the ability to make decisions. But increasingly, we're losing the ability to disagree without despising each other. If we want to preserve our democracy, we need to reintroduce that culture of respectful, purpose-driven competition. This fall, Quebecers will head to the polls for municipal elections. Candidates will step forward to represent their communities. I hope they run with eyes wide open: understanding the challenges ahead, from massive infrastructure debts to the housing crisis, but also embracing the profound privilege of serving their neighbours. I hope they remember you can be tough in debate and kind in spirit. Like my daughter's rugby team, our democracy depends on grit, grace and teamwork. I hope the 2025 graduates know how proud they should be. They started high school in a pandemic and emerged with resilience, kindness and an uncommon strength forged in uncertainty. Watching them and the ECS juvenile rugby team has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I have to thank the teachers, former players who served as role models and of course Coach Stephen for teaching this team to be so fierce. I know what they learned over the past five years will help them with everything that lies ahead. Let's take that spirit of teamwork, respect and connection beyond the pitch into our shared world.
