What architects can teach us about health

The way architects and mechanical engineers design and construct skyscrapers might shock you…

They intentionally enable the building to sway, ever so slightly, as it faces the aggressive crosswinds of a city skyline.

And they do this for our safety, and for the integrity of the structure itself.

Why?

Because an overly rigid skyscraper would, eventually, crack under pressure.

Which got me thinking… could the same logic can be applied to our health habits?

In short, yes I think it can.

Picture your healthy routines as a towering skyscraper in a bustling city:

Daily steps

Hitting your protein targets

Staying hydrated

Training hard

Sleeping well

etc.

Now imagine the crosswinds as life events - some big, some small - that disrupt your routine.

Person 1:

They’re a rigid skyscraper with no sway. AKA, they have a case of the infamous “all-or-nothing” mindset. They’re dialed in. All-in. Until something knocks them off course… and suddenly, they’re not in at all. That very rigidity becomes their downfall.

Person 2:

They’re a skyscraper designed to sway. They’re resilient, but they’re adaptable.
And in the same way, that flexible mindset keeps their habits intact through life’s inevitable storms.

Can’t make it to the gym today?

Person 1 scraps the whole workout. Person 2 gets a 20-minute bodyweight session in at home.

Planning to celebrate this weekend with high-calorie foods? Buzzing for you mate! Person 1 punishes themselves on Monday with aggressive fasting and training more than they can actually handle. Person 2 makes small adjustments ahead of time to give themselves some extra “allowance” to enjoy.

Health doesn’t need to be all or nothing.
It’s a give and take. It’s adaptable.
But only if you design it that way.

Reflection question:
Where in your current routine are you being too rigid, and how could a little "sway" actually help you stay more consistent in the long run?

Genuinely curious to hear…