What The Fall Equinox and Wellness Have in Common

Recently, I came across a National Geographic article (1) that stopped me in my tracks: it claimed that 40,000 tons of stardust fall to Earth every year. That’s a staggering 80 million pounds of cosmic material, gently dusting our planet—an awe-inspiring reminder of how deeply connected we are to the Earth, the planets, and the stars themselves.

This sense of connection feels especially fitting as we approach the fall equinox, which lands around September 21st each year. The fall equinox is when the sun moves north across the equator, and daytime and nighttime are equally balanced. We can simultaneously celebrate this special occurrence and honor our cosmological connection by taking stock of balance within our own lives.

Wellness in Balance

As a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, I constantly encourage my clients to explore the idea of balance—not just as a concept, but as a practice. Physical health relies on four key pillars: sleep, nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction. Among them, I suggest looking at your quantity and quality of sleep first and foremost, since it is challenging (if not downright impossible) to get the other three factors to fall into place if you are not getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep deprivation impacts nutrition because it causes the hunger hormone ghrelin to elevate, making it difficult to stick with good food choices. And let’s be honest—it's tough to power through a workout when you're running on empty.

Of course, balance in wellness does not stop at physical health. It is much bigger, and it can be a real challenge to find a balance for all things. As a professional dancer and aerialist, I often find myself pulled in many directions: training for performances, managing a studio, prepping meals, spending time with my husband... the list goes on. spending time with my husband. It can be a real challenge to fit it all in. And while I don’t have children myself, I work with enough moms to know how overloaded they can get too. But we must work to strike a balance that includes “me-time” on top of being in service to our goals and our family.

Parents also have the additional challenge of finding balance when it comes to eating for nutrition versus feeding a small army quickly and on a shoestring budget. Don’t get hung up on wellness absolutes here; absolutes like “avoid all processed foods” or “cut out all carbs.” It’s okay to occasionally serve pizza as long as that is not your daily go-to. Think in moderation and know that health can be found in the balance.

On wellness absolutes, there is one that I always stick to, and that is “no sugar;” simply because I personally can never have a “little bit” of sugar. Once I break the seal for “just one” cookie, I have ten. Maybe the same is true for you, maybe not. What is important is that you pay attention to the conversation your body is constantly trying to have with you, and you do what’s right for you.

The Full Spectrum of Wellness

True wellness extends far beyond the physical. It’s emotional, intellectual, spiritual, social, even financial. And since time is our most limited resource, prioritization becomes essential. When it comes to physical wellness, here are a few simple but powerful ways to stay on track:

· Sleep, by setting a bedtime for yourself and sticking to it.

· Nutrition, by picking a meal-prep day; so that you have healthy ready-to-eat meals when hunger strikes.

· Stress reduction and exercise, by scheduling in your “me-time” and exercise. These might be one-in-the-same, but if not, schedule both separately. Feel free to peruse our schedule of classes; chances are you will find a class that will check both boxes and we would love to help you in your quest towards your best self.

Also, consider where you can reclaim time in your day. One of the first places I look is the time I spend mindlessly scrolling on my phone. Even just 20 minutes a day adds up to more than two hours a week—time that could be reinvested in your wellness. Audit your time, spot where it’s slipping away, and shift those minutes toward your priorities.

Energy Balance

One other type of balance which definitely deserves a mention is the energy balance, sometimes stated as “calories in versus calories out.” For those looking to maintain or hold their current weight, the calories consumed from food should equal the calories burned by daily activities and exercise. To create weight loss, you have to create an energy deficit by consuming fewer calories than you burn. Unfortunately for dieters, once your body gets accustomed to the lower caloric intake, it adapts by slowing down your metabolism, so you burn fewer calories, resulting in less weight loss. It can be a vicious cycle. So, what is the magic formula? According to “Mindless Eating” by food psychologist Brian Wansink, "it seems we can lose half a pound per week without triggering a metabolism slowdown. Since there are 3,500 calories per pound, that means those working on weight loss should be reducing calories by or increasing activity to burn 1,750 calories per week." The other important takeaway here is that sustained weight loss takes time and patience as well as trial and error.

Unlike the equinox, balance in wellness doesn’t happen naturally. It’s something we must choose—intentionally, repeatedly, and compassionately. Let the season’s symbolism inspire you to take stock of your own balance. Are you resting enough? Moving enough? Nourishing yourself well? Are you allowing space for joy?

Here’s to finding your version of balance—in your body, your schedule, your mindset, and your life. Happy Balancing!

Author/Aerialist: Mindy C "Balancing in the Splits" // Photo Cred: Mariah Gladstone

Article by Mindy Cochran. Mindy is a practitioner, teacher, and performer of aerial silks, aerial hammock, and aerial hoop; as well as a health columnist for Montana Woman Magazine. Her column shares expertise for elevating health & wellness which she has acquired through her certifications as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and life coach. To connect with Mindy on Instagram, please visit: www.instagram.com/aerial.mindy; or visit her Linktree here.

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(1) - https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/150128-big-bang-universe-supernova-astrophysics-health-space-ngbooktalk