I’ve noticed a recurring pattern among health optimisers in my social circles. It goes like this:
“I was having a great time, but I left early to protect my sleep score streak.”
Or,
“I took the kids for an acai bowl, but resisted the carbs.”
Sure, Bryan Johnson would applaud, and I often do too, with the usual “consistency beats intensity” mantra.
But lately, I’ve been responding with, “Don’t forget those who refused dessert on the Titanic.” (Feel free to cancel me for that one).
Have I become a carb apologist or forgotten the importance of sleep? Not at all.
I’m simply highlighting a crucial aspect of health that many overlook because it’s not trackable or measurable: our software.
What Do I Mean by ‘Software’?
When we talk about health, we tend to focus on the “hardware”—metrics like movement, recovery, and nutrition.
But that’s only part of the picture. There are other pillars of health we often neglect—social, emotional, and mental well-being.
At Kalibra, we call these pillars:
- Connect (relationships with loved ones),
- Reflect (connecting with your present self),
- Grow (investing in your future self).
Why Should You Care?
Too often, we sacrifice a valuable software upgrade for the sake of maintaining hardware. What do I mean?
The body always follows the mind. Harvard research shows that strong social connections are the most significant predictor of longevity.
That means sharing a laugh with friends over a late dinner could be more impactful than keeping your sleep tracker happy.
The impact of one is permanent, and of the other – transient.
The Real Tradeoff
Not everything that matters can be measured. And not everything that’s measured really matters.
We need to balance the tangible (hardware) with the intangible (software).
Yes, hardware is easier to track, but it’s our software—our emotional, social, and mental health—that truly shapes the quality of our lives. Let’s not forget that.
