This week is Men's Health Week (15–21 June 2026). This year's theme - #MensHealthWeek - asks a simple but powerful question: how can we better use pharmacy to improve men's health?

It might not sound like the most obvious starting point. But it's a brilliant one. Because your local pharmacy is already there. It doesn't require an appointment. There's no waiting list. And for many men, it's a far lower barrier than booking a GP.

At Glo, we believe that taking care of yourself should be as accessible and as normal as possible -for everyone. Men's Health Week is a moment to ask: what's one thing you've been putting off? And what's the easiest possible way to start?

Men's Health: The Stats Worth Knowing

Men are statistically less likely than women to visit a GP, seek mental health support, or talk openly about how they're feeling. GP Patient Survey data shows that men under 65 are consistently less likely than women to have had a GP appointment in the past three months, with younger men particularly unlikely to seek help early.

The consequences are significant:

• Men account for around three-quarters of suicide deaths in the UK - a trend that has held since the mid-1990s, according to the Office for National Statistics.
• Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men in England, and men are more likely than women to die prematurely from cardiovascular disease.
• Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men in their lifetime, making it the most common cancer in men in the UK, according to Prostate Cancer UK.

Many of these conditions are preventable, or at least manageable with early detection. Which is exactly why this year's pharmacy focus matters so much.

Your Pharmacy Is More Powerful Than You Think

Most people think of the pharmacy as somewhere to pick up a prescription or grab some paracetamol. But community pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals who can check blood pressure, discuss symptoms, review medications, signpost to further support - and do it all without an appointment.

This year, the Men's Health Forum is shining a light on the fact that almost three-quarters of men who visit pharmacies don't discuss their health with a pharmacist. That's an enormous missed opportunity - and one that's remarkably easy to change.

Next time you're in, ask. About the thing you've been quietly worrying about. About whether your blood pressure is worth checking. About what that symptom might mean. You might be surprised by how much is available to you, right there on the high street.

Why Wellness Isn't Just for Women

There's a long-standing misconception that spa days, yoga classes, and wellness treatments are the domain of women. It's a myth that's slowly - and rightly - being dismantled.

Stress, physical tension, poor sleep, and emotional burnout don't discriminate by gender. And the tools to address them don't either. Massage therapy reduces cortisol. Sound baths lower blood pressure and anxiety. Movement practices like yoga and tai chi build strength, flexibility, and mental clarity - all without a gym.

More and more men are discovering that investing in their wellbeing isn't a luxury. It's maintenance. It's preventative care. It's smart.

The Ancient Art of Tai Chi - and Why It's Having a Moment

This week, we're shining a light on tai chi - one of the most underrated wellness practices available, and one that happens to be particularly well-suited to men who are new to the idea of 'wellness.'

Rooted in ancient Chinese tradition, tai chi is a series of slow, flowing movements that combine breathwork, mindfulness, and gentle physical exercise. It looks effortless. It is anything but passive.

Regular tai chi practice has been shown to:

• Reduce stress and anxiety - the meditative quality of the movements quiets the nervous system, making it particularly effective for men who find it difficult to 'switch off.'
• Improve balance and coordination - making it a powerful preventative tool against falls and injury, particularly as we age.
• Support joint health and flexibility - without the impact of high-intensity exercise.
• Lower blood pressure - with studies showing meaningful reductions in systolic blood pressure after consistent practice.
• Boost cognitive function - the focus required to hold and flow through each movement has been linked to improved memory and mental sharpness.

It asks nothing more than a little space, comfortable clothing, and a willingness to slow down. And it delivers far more than it looks like it should.

Small Steps, Real Change

The pharmacy theme and the tai chi practice share something important: they're both about accessible entry points. Neither requires a dramatic lifestyle overhaul. Both offer genuine, evidence-backed benefits. And both are things you could do this week.

Stop into the pharmacy and ask about a blood pressure check. Try a tai chi video at home. Book a treatment that gives you an hour entirely to yourself. These aren't indulgences - they're investments.

At Glo, we bring wellness directly to you; at home, in the workplace, or at your holiday property. Our mobile spa treatments, tai chi classes, yoga sessions, and sound baths are available across the UK. Corporate wellness programmes are also available for teams and workplaces.

Men's Health Week is the nudge that the quiet voice in the back of your head has been waiting for. Whether you want to gift an experience to a partner, father, brother, or friend - or do something for yourself - there's no better time to start.

This Week, Take One Step

You don't need to overhaul everything. You don't need to sign up for a marathon or commit to a 6am cold plunge. This week's message is simpler than that.

Take one step. It might be a conversation at the pharmacy counter. A tai chi session in the garden. An honest conversation with someone you trust. Or just giving yourself permission to slow down for an hour.

Wellness isn't about being perfect. It's about showing up for yourself - consistently, imperfectly, and with a little more kindness than you might usually allow.

Happy Men's Health Week from all of us at Glo.