Caring for the Person Behind the Business: Simple Mental Health Habits for Small Business Owners

In 2025, the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) released their Small Business Perspectives Report, based on the voices of over 800 small businesses across Australia. A key finding of that report was that, for a small business owner, the “mental health impacts are at alarming levels: 76% reported stress or anxiety, and 57% experienced burnout.”

Protecting mental health doesn’t necessarily require grand gestures. It can be about consistent, thoughtful actions that make you feel supported, valued, and safe. If you find yourself experiencing stress or burnout, we’ve collated a list of things you might like to try…

1. Self-care

Try to prioritise self-care by paying attention to your sleep, diet, exercise, hydration. Explore ways to relax and unwind, whether it’s a massage, a swim or reading a novel. Learn to ‘switch off’ from work and business and connect with other interests instead – try not to take work home with you and/or set times to unplug from all notifications and technology.

2. Structure your day

Schedule time for different tasks – calls, follow-ups, emails, social media engagement, administrative and compliance tasks – but also your ‘breaks’ and time away from work.

3. Get outside at lunchtime 

Even short breaks outside can boost energy and focus. Try a short walk or sitting outside in the sun for even 10 minutes each day to improve sleep quality, reduce stress, and help with essential vitamin D levels.

4. Don’t try and do everything 

Acknowledge that you might not be able to do everything. What could be delegated or outsourced? What could be cut or postponed? What can be simplified? Write a list, prioritise, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

5. Celebrate the small things

Focus on what can be controlled and what is being achieved. Celebrate the things you tick off the ‘to do’ list and milestones reached. And try and remember the ‘joy’ that drove your business motivation.

6. Peer Support

Join business groups or industry associations, build support group of peers to share and discuss daily challenges, engage with trusted advisers, ask for help for yourself and the business and don’t sacrifice key relationships for business.

Other Resources

Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business program is specifically designed for small business owners and sole traders. No GP referral is required and it’s available by phone or video across Australia. It’s designed for issues such as business stress, financial pressure, burnout, sleep issues and feeling overwhelmed.

Black Dog Institute runs Understanding and Managing your Mental Health, an interactive training workshop that teaches essential skills to care for their mental health and support others.

Lifeline for crisis support available 24/7.

The Small Business Debt Helpline operated by Financial Counselling Australia has a team of qualified financial counsellors.

Rural Financial Counselling Service provides support to regional small businesses experiencing or at risk of financial hardship.

If you’d like support to set up HR practices in your business and reduce overwhelm, book in for a free consultation and let us help you.