Is your job making you age faster? online calculator reveals the truth

You can now find out if your job is negatively affecting your body by using an online calculator.

A UK-based skincare clinic, Harley Street Skin, has launched an innovative online calculator that claims to assess whether a person’s job is causing them to age prematurely.

Named the "Ageing Jobs Index," this tool examines how different work-related factors, such as stress levels, working conditions, shift patterns, and physical activity, contribute to premature ageing.

The clinic states that the calculator is based on research from Harvard University, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other institutions.

To use the calculator, participants must answer a series of questions about their work habits, including how many hours they spend sitting, their stress levels, and whether they work in harsh environments or around chemicals. Based on the responses, the calculator generates a score out of 100, indicating the level of work-induced ageing a person might be experiencing.

According to the tool’s scoring system, those who receive a score below 40 fall into the "minor ageing" category, meaning they are at low risk of job-related ageing and may only exhibit mild signs such as fine lines or wrinkles.

Scores between 40 and 60 indicate "moderate ageing," where individuals may notice deeper wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, and forehead that could become more pronounced over time.

A score between 80 and 100 signals "extreme ageing," suggesting a high risk of premature ageing symptoms, including grey hair, frown lines caused by stress, poor posture, sagging skin, dark circles, and sun spots.

The clinic highlights several workplace habits that contribute to premature ageing.

Prolonged screen time can lead to poor posture and eye strain, while excessive working hours increase the risk of burnout, sleep deprivation, and decreased productivity. Jobs that involve long hours under the sun can also accelerate skin damage, leading to sun spots and premature wrinkles. Additionally, those in high-stress professions may experience heightened signs of ageing due to the effects of chronic stress on the skin.

To combat these effects, Harley Street Skin advises workers to adopt healthier work habits.

Maintaining a consistent schedule, prioritising sleep, taking regular breaks from screens, and managing stress effectively can all help reduce premature ageing. The clinic also recommends staying hydrated, consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, and using sunscreen for those who work outdoors. By making small but significant lifestyle changes, individuals can potentially slow down job-related ageing and improve their overall well-being.