Youth is wasted on the young. A popular if not harsh oversimplification of life as a young adult.

That said, there’s an ethos that gets embodied by the youth that absolutely gives some truth to the saying. It’s the idea that we would wish to die young.

There’s an edge and wit to the comment, and I’d imagine most who parrot it don’t truly hope to find early graves.

Then there are those who believe it. People I’ve met.

If I had to lend my armchair expertise in analyzing these beliefs, my first instinct would be to assume they’re worried about old age. About being confined to a bed. Or perhaps there’s fear surrounding the responsibilities of adulthood.

It’s difficult for me to relate to the fears of adulthood. Even as a kid, I longed for the days when I could do adult things, like drink, live on my own, and make all of my own decisions, for better or worse.

The fear of our quality of life, however, that is a real fear that drives me. Lifespan is the word people choose to use when we discuss old age. The word that matters more is healthspan.

How long will we live happy, healthy lives?

We can find tremendous value in living a long life when we’re free of pain and disease. The catch-22 is that while we’re fearing old age, we need to be preparing for it.

The reckless choices we make in our youth can cost us years of health down the line. A future stuck in bed isn’t inevitable, but you have to start caring before it feels urgent.

I’m not sure if okay, millennial is a thing yet, but what I’m about to say runs the risk of it being left in the comments.

Your youth—the energy, the ambition, and the tolerance to risk—they are all great things, depending on how you use them. Just know: age is stubborn, and it comes for everybody.

Give yourself the upper hand by anticipating it and using it in your favor. If you do, you’ll have the advantage of deciding how you feel in your 40s and beyond.