Men’s Health Week: The Questions Men Google When No One’s Looking
A stay-at-home dad’s reminder that “I’m fine” is not always the full story
Men’s Health Week runs from 15 to 21 June 2026, which feels like a good moment to talk about something many men are world-class at avoiding.
Health.
Not “I’ll start the gym on Monday” health.
Not “I’ve bought a salad so I am basically an athlete now” health.
Actual health. The annoying headache that keeps coming back. The back pain you keep blaming on the sofa. The tiredness that feels heavier than normal tiredness. The low mood you keep explaining away as being “just a bit knackered”.
The truth is, a lot of men do not rush to talk about these things. We wait. We downplay. We Google it at 11:47pm and then convince ourselves we are either completely fine or definitely dying. There is rarely much middle ground.
So, for Men’s Health Week, this is not a lecture. It is a nudge.
If something has been bothering you, physically or mentally, you are allowed to take it seriously.
Why do men leave it so long before asking for help?
There are probably a few reasons.
Some men do not want to make a fuss. Some do not want to waste anyone’s time. Some are used to being the person other people rely on. Some grew up thinking you just “get on with it”. Some are scared of what they might find out.
And some are stay-at-home dads, doing the school runs, toddler wrangling, snack negotiations, laundry mountain management and emotional regulation for everyone else, while quietly putting themselves at the bottom of the list.
It is very easy to say, “I’ll sort myself out when things calm down.”
But with parenting, things do not really calm down. They just change shape.
One minute you are dealing with nappies. Then tantrums. Then soft play injuries. Then someone has put a raisin in the heating vent. Again.
So here are a few of the things men might be quietly asking Google or AI, but not saying out loud.
“Why do I keep getting headaches?”
Headaches are common. That does not mean they should be ignored forever.
It might be stress. Lack of sleep. Dehydration. Too much screen time. Eye strain. Tension. Parenting a toddler who believes 5:12am is a perfectly reasonable start to the day.
But if your headaches are unusual for you, becoming more frequent, more painful, waking you up, affecting your vision, making you sick, or stopping you from getting on with normal life, it is worth speaking to your GP or NHS 111.
Do not sit there trying to be brave with a paracetamol and a squint.
Getting checked is not dramatic. It is sensible.
“Why does my back hurt all the time?”
Back pain is incredibly common, especially once you become a parent.
There is nothing quite like lifting a toddler into a car seat at a strange angle while holding a water bottle, a snack pot and the broken remains of your patience.
Most back pain improves with time, gentle movement and sensible self-care. But if the pain is severe, getting worse, not improving after a few weeks, stopping you doing everyday things, or making you worried, it is time to ask for help.
You do not get bonus dad points for suffering in silence.
You just get a worse back and a toddler who still wants to be carried.
“Could I have diabetes and not know?”
This is one many men might avoid because it feels big.
Diabetes affects how the body manages blood sugar. Type 1 diabetes is not caused by lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes is more common and can be linked with things like weight, activity levels, family history, age and ethnicity.
Some people can live with type 2 diabetes without realising it, which is why symptoms are worth taking seriously.
Things to watch for can include feeling very thirsty, needing to wee more often, feeling unusually tired, blurred vision, slow-healing cuts, or unexplained weight loss.
This is not about shame. It is about information.
If you are worried, speak to your GP. Diabetes UK has clear guidance, and Dr Chatterjee also has a helpful article here: https://drchatterjee.com/11-ways-to-reverse-diabetes/
“I know I need to get fitter, but where do I even start?”
This is where people often go wrong.
They decide the answer is a complete life overhaul.
New diet. New trainers. New gym plan. No biscuits. Running 5k by Friday. Cold showers. Protein powder. A spreadsheet. Maybe a motivational quote on the fridge.
Then real life happens, and by Wednesday the whole thing collapses under the weight of a packet of chocolate digestives.
So start smaller.
Walk for 10 minutes.
Add one extra vegetable to dinner.
Drink a glass of water before your third coffee.
Stretch while the kettle boils.
Do five squats while your toddler judges you.
Put on a silly dance video with the kids and call it movement.
Something is better than nothing. And if you are starting from very little, something is actually a lot.
You do not need to become a different person overnight. You just need to give future you half a chance.
“Why do I feel low when nothing is really wrong?”
This is a big one.
A lot of men wait until they are at breaking point before they admit they are struggling. But low mood does not always arrive with a dramatic announcement. Sometimes it creeps in quietly.
You might feel flat. Irritable. Tired. Disconnected. Less interested in things you normally enjoy. More snappy than usual. More withdrawn. Like you are doing everything you are supposed to do, but not really feeling like yourself.
That matters.
Feeling low for a few days can be part of life. But if it lasts for more than a couple of weeks, starts affecting everyday life, or you feel like you cannot cope, speak to your GP.
And if you ever feel like you might hurt yourself, or you do not feel safe, call 999, go to A&E, call Samaritans on 116 123, or contact NHS 111.
You do not have to earn help by getting worse first.
“Why do I feel lonely as a stay-at-home dad?”
This one deserves its own space.
Because being a stay-at-home dad can be brilliant.
It can be funny, chaotic, emotional, exhausting and full of tiny moments you would not swap for anything. You get the giggles, the cuddles, the first words, the strange toddler logic, and the honour of being someone’s safe place.
But it can also be lonely. (Check out my earlier post on this here)
Not always lonely because you are physically alone. Sometimes you are surrounded by noise all day and still feel isolated.
The toddler is talking, but not exactly asking how you are feeling. The other parents at groups may already know each other. The world still often assumes mum is the default parent. People ask if you are “babysitting” your own child. You can go a whole day without having an adult conversation that is not about raisins, nappies or whether the blue cup is emotionally different from the green cup.
That can wear you down.
If you are a dad at home and you feel lonely, it does not mean you are ungrateful. It does not mean you do not love your child. It means you are human.
Try one small thing.
Message another dad.
Go to the same toddler group more than once, even if the first time feels awkward.
Find a local Men’s Shed.
Tell your partner, friend or family member, “I’m finding this a bit isolating.”
You do not need a huge speech. You just need a crack in the door.
Where can men in the UK get support?
Here are a few places to start:
For urgent mental health support
If you feel at risk of harming yourself or you do not feel safe, call 999 or go to A&E.
You can also call Samaritans free on 116 123, day or night.
For mental health support and someone to talk to
Mind offers mental health information and support.
CALM supports people who are struggling or affected by suicide.
ANDYSMANCLUB runs free men’s peer-to-peer support groups across the UK and online.
For loneliness and connection
Men’s Sheds are community spaces where people come together to make, repair, chat and connect.
Local dad groups, toddler groups, libraries, community centres and Facebook groups can also be a good place to start, even if it feels awkward the first time.
For physical health
NHS 111 can help if you are unsure what to do.
Your GP is there for ongoing worries, symptoms that are not improving, or anything that feels unusual for you.
Pharmacies can also be a good first step for advice on smaller health concerns, and this year’s Men’s Health Week is shining a light on how pharmacies can support men’s health too.
A small Men’s Health Week challenge
You do not need to transform your life this week.
Just do one thing.
Book the appointment.
Tell someone you have been feeling off.
Check the symptom you keep ignoring.
Go for a walk.
Drink some water.
Look up a local group.
Send the message.
Ask the awkward question.
Because “I’m fine” might be true.
But if it is not, you are allowed to say so.
And if you are a stay-at-home dad reading this and feeling a bit lonely, overwhelmed or invisible, you are not the only one. I talk a lot about the funny side of dad life here at Old Dad Diary, but the real stuff matters too.
So if this has hit home, talk to someone.
A friend. A partner. A GP. A charity. Another dad.
Or leave a comment and say hello.
I am here too.
Useful links
Men’s Health Forum — Men’s Health Week 2026.
NHS — headaches and when to seek help.
NHS — back pain and when to seek help.
Diabetes UK — diabetes statistics and guidance.
Samaritans — call 116 123 any time, free.
Mind — mental health support line and guidance.
CALM — suicide prevention and support.
ANDYSMANCLUB — free men’s peer support groups.
Men’s Sheds Association — connection, conversation and reducing loneliness.
Movember UK — men’s mental health, prostate cancer and testicular cancer awareness.
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Men’s Health Week is an annual awareness week focused on encouraging men to take their physical and mental health seriously.
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Men’s Health Week 2026 runs from 15 to 21 June.
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Some men worry about wasting time, making a fuss, being judged, or finding out something is wrong. But getting checked early is often the most sensible thing to do.
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Yes. Being a stay-at-home dad can be rewarding and still feel isolating. A dad can love being with his child and still miss adult conversation, friendships and feeling seen.
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Men can speak to their GP, call NHS 111, contact Samaritans on 116 123, or look at organisations such as Mind, CALM and ANDYSMANCLUB.
