The Importance of Self-Care for Small Business Owners

Discover why self-care for small business owners isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Learn practical strategies to protect your health, energy, and business success.

There’s a moment that still makes me pause.

It was a Tuesday. I’d had five client sessions back-to-back, a to-do list that just wouldn’t quit, emails piling up in the background, and a house that looked like it had been hit by a whirlwind. The dog needed walking, and my husband was on his way home, expecting dinner. I was running on coffee fumes, hadn’t eaten properly all day, and still had a few hours of work ahead of me.

Sound familiar?

As a solo small business owner for over two decades, I’ve been in the thick of it. And one of the most common things I mentor other business owners through is this: “You cannot run a thriving business if you’re constantly putting yourself last.”

Self-care for small business owners isn’t a “nice-to-have”—it’s a must-have. Because if you’re not functioning at your best, nothing else in your business will either.

 

Why Small Business Owners Struggle With Self-Care

We wear all the hats: accountant, marketer, admin assistant, customer service, product developer, cleaner… sometimes all before midday.

We’re often the last to clock off and the first to carry the mental load, even on weekends. When you’re pouring everything into building a business, it’s easy to feel like self-care is selfish or a luxury you can’t afford.

But here’s the truth I’ve learned (and help others learn too): you can’t pour from an empty cup. If your physical, mental, or emotional energy runs out, your business will feel it—fast.

 

Signs You Might Be Burning Out

Before you crash, your body and brain often give you warning signs. Here’s what I see in myself (and my clients) when burnout is knocking:

• You’re snapping at people you care about.
• Everything feels urgent—even small tasks
• You can’t remember the last proper day off you had.
• Your creativity has flatlined.
• You feel resentful about work you used to love.
• You’re always tired, even after a full night’s sleep.

If any of these sound like you, it’s time to stop and reset.

 

 

What Self-Care Actually Looks Like

I’m not talking about bubble baths (unless that’s your thing). I’m talking about real, sustainable self-care that supports you to keep going long-term.

 1. Boundaries Around Work
Just because you can work all the time doesn’t mean you should. Set real finish times. No work after 7pm? No emails on Sundays? Whatever works for you, stick to it.

 2. Fuel and Movement
Eat something that isn’t from a packet. Drink actual water. Move your body—go for a walk with your dog or stretch between meetings and timed blocked work sessions. You’d be amazed at the clarity that comes with circulation.

 3. Real Breaks
No, scrolling on your phone isn’t a break. Step away. Take 15 minutes to sit in the sun, walk, or call a friend. Breaks increase productivity and prevent decision fatigue.

4. Support Systems
This might be a cleaner, a VA, a mentor (hi 👋), or just having someone to talk to. You’re not meant to do everything alone. Asking for help is a power move, not a weakness.

5. Mental Hygiene
Protect your mind. That might mean unfollowing comparison-triggering accounts, journaling, going to therapy, or just spending less time online. The clutter in your mind clutters your business.

 

 

How Self-Care Impacts Your Business

When you’re running on empty, your business decisions come from stress—not strategy. You price from panic. You say yes when you mean no. You push projects forward without proper planning.

But when you’re rested, nourished, and supported?

• You show up confidently.
• You make clearer decisions.
• You create from inspiration, not desperation.
• You actually enjoy the work you’re doing.

 

Self-care isn’t just good for you. It’s good for your clients, your bottom line, and your long-term business sustainability.

How I Keep My Own Self-Care in Check

Here’s what I’ve put in place after 20+ years of learning the hard way:

• I set time blocks to work each day, with 15-minute blocks of “green time” for me to stretch, take a walk, and eat my snack in the sunshine.
• I do not ever have work emails on my phone.
• I have a separate work phone that is only answered during my set work hours.
• I outsource what drains me.
• I walk my dog daily and move my body before I touch emails.
• I finish work at a set time (most days; I’m still human!).
• I have my phone go to “downtime mode” after 9pm. No doom-scrolling
• My end-of-day routine before I finish work is to write down everything in my head. This helps my brain be quiet when I go to sleep.
• I check in with a mentor or peer when things feel stuck.

 

It’s not perfect, but it works. And it means I can keep showing up for my clients without running myself into the ground.

 

Your Turn: A Self-Care Check-In

If your business feels heavy, it might not be your strategy—it might be your energy. Ask yourself:

• When was the last time I took a real break?
• What part of my day drains me most—and can I change it?
• What small habit can I start today that supports my well-being?

 

Start small. A 10-minute walk. A proper lunch. Turning off notifications after hours. It all counts.

 

Final Thoughts

Self-care for small business owners is a non-negotiable. You are the engine of your business—and engines need fuel, maintenance, and rest.
If this is an area you’ve been neglecting, you’re not alone. I mentor business owners through this all the time because, truthfully, it’s where most of us struggle.
But you don’t have to keep pushing through. You can build a business that works with you, not against you.

Your well-being is the most important asset in your business. Treat it that way.

Feeling stretched too thin to even think straight?
Let’s fix that. In your Hour of Power, we’ll pinpoint what’s draining your time and energy—and put a strategy in place to protect both.

Your personal Perth small business mentor & coach—Lala xo
Because you don’t have to do it alone