Burnout doesn’t just affect your mood. It impacts decision-making, motivation, productivity and, eventually, the sustainability of your business. The good news is that there are clear signs to watch for and small daily strategies that can help you reset before things get out of hand.

You feel tired all the time, even after rest

This kind of fatigue isn’t solved by a sleep-in. It feels like your brain just won’t switch off, even when you stop working.

Try building in mindfulness breaks throughout your day. These can be short and simple even five minutes helps. Step away from your workspace, slow your breathing and notice what’s happening in your body. Even taking a moment to pause and breathe deeply can calm your nervous system and refresh your focus.

You’re working more but getting less done

Despite putting in long hours, you still feel like you’re falling behind. This is often a result of decision fatigue and mental overload.

Try using the Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of focused work followed by a five-minute break. These short bursts help maintain concentration without overwhelming your brain. They also force you to step away regularly, which can reduce stress and improve output.

You’ve lost sight of the big picture

When you’re stuck in reactive mode, it’s easy to forget why you started your business in the first place. That disconnect can leave you feeling flat and directionless.

Take time to reflect on your values. What matters most to you? Why did you begin this journey? Reconnecting with your purpose can help guide decisions and bring more meaning to your day-to-day tasks. It’s not just about pushing through it’s about remembering what you’re working towards.

You’ve stopped setting achievable goals

Unrealistic expectations of doing ten things in a day, achieving two, and feeling like a failure even though you did a solid day’s work can also lead to burnout.

Refocus on SMART goals, particularly the ‘A’ achievable. Break tasks down into realistic steps that you can complete within the time you have. Finishing what you started creates momentum and gives you a greater sense of control.

Your sleep is shot

If you’re collapsing into bed exhausted but can’t fall asleep or waking up in the middle of the night thinking about work – your stress response might be stuck in overdrive.

Good sleep hygiene can help. Try to keep consistent sleep and wake times, avoid screens for at least 30 minutes before bed, and create a wind-down routine that tells your body it’s time to switch off. Writing down thoughts or tasks before bed can eject these thoughts to work on later can also help prevent your brain from running loops overnight.

You feel like you can’t ask for help

Delegating or asking for support might feel risky or pointless. But trying to do everything yourself is exactly what leads people to crash.

Start small. Identify one task you can delegate this week. It could be admin, bookkeeping, or just asking someone to cover for you during a break. Letting go of even one thing lightens the load and reminds you that you’re not in it alone.

Looking after yourself is a business strategy

Taking care of your mental health isn’t a luxury but a core part of running a sustainable business. If you can spot the early signs of burnout and put small systems in place, you’ll be better equipped to lead, make clearer decisions and enjoy the work you’re doing.

The post Signs you’re nearing burnout (and what to do about it) appeared first on Inside Small Business.

The room fell silent.

I continued, “One per cent of your day is just 14 minutes. Most people aren’t even giving themselves that – for self-care, for themselves, for anything that truly matters. Think about how you’re spending your time. If you’re not carving out at least 1 per cent for yourself, something is seriously wrong.”

It was clear – most of them couldn’t say yes.

How many of us are running on empty, giving everything to our work, our families, our obligations—but not even 14 minutes to ourselves?

Small-business burnout Is a cultural crisis

This is more than a personal problem – it’s a cultural one. And in small business, it’s even worse.

We tell ourselves that success requires sacrifice, that we’ll take a break once things settle down. (Spoiler: they never do.)

But here’s the truth: if you don’t carve out time for yourself, your business will take every last drop of your energy. And when you hit burnout, everything – your health, creativity, and decision-making – suffers.

The irony? The more we neglect ourselves, the worse we perform. When you’re exhausted, your problem-solving weakens. Your leadership suffers. Instead of working on the business, you’re stuck in it – reacting, firefighting, barely keeping up.

The ‘One Per Cent Rule’ for small-business owners

So how do we break the cycle? Start small.

I call it the ‘One Per Cent of Your Day – Choose You’ rule. If you can commit just 14 minutes – 1 per cent of your 24-hour day – to something that refuels you, you’ll see the difference.

It’s not about grand, time-consuming self-care routines. It’s about intentionally reclaiming a moment for yourself and your small business before burnout takes over.

Yes, you’re busy. Yes, you’re juggling kids, work, and everything in between. But no one – no one – can tell me they can’t find 14 minutes for themselves. And if you think you can’t, just check your phone’s screen time.

I call my small-business clients out on this all the time. If you’re not finding even 1 per cent of your day for yourself, it’s time to take a hard look at why.

Because you can’t give your clients or your business what you don’t have for yourself. So, commit to the ‘One Per Cent of Your Day – Choose You’ rule:

• Take a 14-minute walk – no phone, no emails, just you.
• Sit outside with a coffee and just breathe.
• Move your body – stretch, dance, do something to move your body.
• Read one chapter of a book.
• Get creative.

For me, it’s a morning walk on the farm. It wakes me up and resets my focus. Small steps lead to big results – but you have to start somewhere.

So, start with one per cent. Reclaim your 14 minutes. Choose you – because when you do, your business will thrive, and so will you.

The post Feeling burned out? Try this 14-minute hack to keep your small business thriving appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Its study “Using Intermediaries to Support the Mental Health of SME Owners” revealed that SME owners generally experience higher levels of psychological distress than wage-earners due to business-related challenges including chronic financial pressures, extended work hours, and the weight of decision-making which could lead to stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, and even suicide.

In fact, the study found that 22 per cent of SME owners have been diagnosed with a mental health condition, 57 per cent reported stress levels beyond the normal range, and 43 per cent having shared that business-related stress affected them “more than half the time” to “all the time.” However, many SME owners struggled to obtain help for mental health and well-being issues due to time constraints, financial limitations, and the demands of running their business.

Furthermore, mental health initiatives tailored to SME owners remain scarce in Australia and internationally, making the situation for SME owners all the more challenging.

In dealing with mental health issues, the study has identified trusted business advisors, especially accountants and bookkeepers, as potential first responders who are capable of identifying early signs of mental health issues. More so if they are proper training in relationship building and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) which will equip them with information and tools to provide timely, targeted support for their clients; helping them identify both financial and mental distress and connect clients with mental health services.

“It’s clear that small-business owners deeply trust their accountants and bookkeepers, often sharing challenges beyond finance, including personal struggles and major life events. This positions them as a vital bridge between SME clients and mental health support,” said Deakin University Executive Dean, Business and Law, Professor Jenni Lightowlers. “With small businesses driving economic growth and employing millions of Australians, the impact of poor mental health among SME owners extends far beyond the individual—it affects jobs, families, communities, and the broader economy.”

Institute of Public Accountants CEO, Andrew Conway, said the number one concern among accountant members was the mental health of their small business clients.

“This research has the potential to change—and even save—lives by raising awareness, reducing stigma, and equipping accountants with the tools and confidence to support their clients effectively,” Conway said. “Ultimately, it’s a call to action for accountants to embrace their role in supporting the mental health of their small business owner clients— something many of our members are already doing – and helping them not just survive, but thrive.”

Beyond Blue Chief of Engagement, Greg Jennings, said integrating mental health into everyday business interactions was a practical and innovative way to support small business owners.

“Timely, targeted support doesn’t just help individuals—it strengthens businesses and communities,” Jennings said. “Engaging accountants and other business advisors as mental health ‘first responders’ is a smart, scalable solution to tackling the growing mental health crisis among SME owners.”

The study is based on the IPA-Deakin SME Research Centre’s Counting on U program (2021–2024), the world’s first sector-wide study on how business advisors can support SME owners’ financial and mental health. The research was funded by the Australian Treasury, NHMRC, IPA, Beyond Blue, WorkSafe Victoria, and Mental Health First Aid Australia, with support from CA ANZ, CPA Australia, and the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers.

The post Accountants and bookkeepers crucial to SME mental health appeared first on Inside Small Business.

According to a statement by Victoria’s Minister for WorkSafe and TAC, Ben Carroll, the new regulations will strengthen existing laws, make employer obligations clearer, and recognise psychosocial hazards to be just as important as psychical hazards.

“These regulations will provide clarity for employers about what they need to do to keep their workers safe from psychosocial hazards and uphold their duties under the OHS Act,” said Carroll.

Laws around mental health are getting stronger

If talk about psychosocial hazards sounds familiar to you, it’s for good reason: Victorian businesses (as well as businesses in every other state and territory) already have an obligation to protect employees from psychological harm. 

Victoria is the last state to introduce its own legislation. It previously relied on the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and a Code of Compliance to reduce these work-related risks.

Regulation around preventing psychosocial hazards is now in place around the entire country and only getting stronger. But what are psychosocial hazards, and how do laws like these impact your business’ operations?

A legislative trend that will impact your small business

Psychosocial hazards are factors that can negatively impact workers’ mental health, well-being, and overall job satisfaction.

These could include overwhelming job demands, lack of role clarity, and/or poor support in the workplace.

Organisational social worker Louise Thompson said that small businesses in particular can be at risk of psychosocial hazards.

“Ironically, the same qualities that make working for an SME appealing – such as agility, flexibility, and a reputation for less bureaucracy and red tape – also create psychosocial hazards and a risk to worker safety,” Thompson explained. “Many operate on stretched resources, have a hands-off approach to safety, and reactive instead of proactive systems.”

Thompson wrote about these hazards – and how they can be prevented – in a previous article for Inside Small Business. You can read it here.

What do I need to do as a small-business owner?

As a small-business owner, you need to make sure you are taking steps to prevent psychological harm from occurring in your workplace. If you have been found to have failed in your obligation to prevent harm, you could face fines, legal action, and workers’ compensation claims.

Australia has seen a 30 per cent surge in mental health-related workers’ compensation claims over the four years to mid-2023. In Victoria alone, 18 per cent of all new WorkCover claims in 2023-24 were about work-related mental injuries.

The good news is that most states and territories (bar South Australia, Tasmania, and Northern Territory) have a compliance code to help employers meet their obligations and reduce legal risks.

To complement the strengthened regulations, the Victorian Government will provide employers with “extra guidance” around prevention plans.

For more information about mental health hazards in the workplace and how you can prevent harm to employees, including SME-specific information, Safe Work Australia has a comprehensive collection of resources on the topic.

The post Victoria is the latest state to bolster psychosocial hazard regulation. How can your business keep up? appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Australian workplaces are witnessing an alarming trend: a 30 per cent surge in mental health-related workers’ compensation claims over the four years to mid-2023, significantly outpacing the 11 per cent rise in physical injury claims. 

Mental health-related and psychological injury claims – relating to psychosocial risks like bullying, harassment, trauma or isolation – are the fastest-growing category of workers’ compensation claims, leading to workers taking up to four times longer off work than for other claims. 

This surge, coupled with increased regulatory scrutiny and potential financial implications, necessitates a proactive approach from employers.

So, what do employers need to know to reduce the incidence of these claims in the workplace, and support those that arise?

The mental health-related workers’ compensation claims landscape

Workplace mental ill-health costs Australian businesses up to $39 billion annually in lost productivity and participation. Mental health conditions accounted for 9.2 per cent of serious workers’ compensation claims in 2021-22, often requiring extended periods of leave compared to physical injuries.

Off the back of these escalating claims, workplace health and safety regulators are coming down more strongly. For example, SafeWork NSW is increasing compliance checks and may prosecute businesses that fail to protect employees’ mental well-being.

Employers have a legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of their workers, encompassing both physical and mental well-being.

How to make your workplace mentally healthy

It is now a formal responsibility of businesses to cultivate a mentally healthy workplace. There are several ways employers can prevent psychosocial risks from arising.

• Leadership commitment: Demonstrate a genuine commitment to mental health from the top down. That includes funding and championing mental health initiatives in the workplace such as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellbeing initiatives or mental health training. It also includes walking the talk and leading by example through sharing their own experiences and modelling healthy behaviour.

• Open communication: Foster a culture where employees feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns without fear of stigma. Provide regular opportunities for open dialogue and feedback, such as through holding one-on-ones with all staff periodically, surveying employees on their wellbeing and engagement, or carving out time in other (private) meetings to discuss mental health concerns.

• Education and awareness: Conduct workshops and training sessions to raise awareness about mental health issues and reduce stigma. This can be outsourced to experts such as the Black Dog Institute to ensure it is handled delicately and safely.

• Healthy work-life balance: Encourage employees to take breaks, utilise leave entitlements, and disconnect from work after hours.

• Stress management programs: Offer resources and training on stress management techniques, mindfulness, and resilience. SafeWork offers a wide range of resources for employers and employees on managing workplace stress.

• Zero tolerance for bullying and harassment: Implement strict policies against bullying and harassment, and ensure employees know how to report any incidents.

An employee is having a mental health-related issue. What do you do?

In the event that an issue arises, intervening early to address the psychosocial risks is crucial. Options for employers include:

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Offer confidential EAPs that provide professional counselling and support services for employees and their families. Many EAP programs providers now tailor to the needs of small and medium sized businesses and are cost-effective and flexible.

• Regular check-Ins: Encourage managers to have regular one-on-one conversations with employees to discuss their well-being and offer support if needed.

• Return-to-work programs: Develop comprehensive return-to-work programs that cater to employees’ individual needs after a mental health-related absence. In NSW, your return-to-work programs must be compliant with the State Insurance Regulatory Authority’s (SIRA) requirements. Check out SafeWork for more information on your obligations in this regard.

What to do when a claim is made

When a claim is made, employers have several options to streamline the process and ensure the best outcome for the employee and company.

• Know your obligations: Familiarise yourself with workers’ compensation legislation and the specific requirements for mental health claims. For those in NSW, SIRA provides a useful guide to the relevant legislation.

• Prompt response: Address mental health claims promptly and with empathy. Communicate clearly with the employee and provide necessary support throughout the process.

• Collaboration: Work closely with your insurer and healthcare providers to ensure a smooth and efficient claims process.

• Focus on recovery: Prioritise the employee’s recovery and return to work by offering appropriate support and accommodations.

Proactive risk management

As part of the end-to-end process, from prevention, through to claims, mitigating risks will be a key focus. Here’s how employers can integrate managing psychosocial risks into their risk management processes:

• Regular risk assessments: Conduct thorough workplace risk assessments to identify and address potential hazards to mental health.

• Implement control measures: Develop and implement strategies to mitigate identified risks, such as adjusting workloads, improving communication, or providing additional training and resources.

• Monitor and review: Continuously monitor and review the effectiveness of your mental health initiatives and make adjustments as needed.

By implementing these proactive and adaptive strategies, employers can create a supportive and mentally healthy workplace, reducing the risk of mental health claims, improving employee well-being, and enhancing overall productivity. Remember, investing in your employees’ mental health is not only a legal and ethical obligation but also a sound business decision.

The post Mental health workers’ comp: What employers need to know appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Running a business can be exciting and rewarding, but for many business owners, it takes a toll on personal relationships.

The constant pressure to succeed and the demands of daily operations can lead to partners feeling neglected, disconnected, and resentful. These struggles are common, but with the right approach, you can succeed in both business and personal life.

As a relationship coach working with high-achieving couples, I’ve identified three key struggles business owners face in their relationships and how to practically solve them.

Struggle #1: No work-life balance

Many business owners prioritise work above all else, thinking, “Once I achieve enough, my partner will be happy.” However, this mindset can lead to neglected relationships and resentment. The finish line for success is always moving, so work often continues to dominate, leaving little room for connection.

The solution: Adjust your priorities. What you prioritise is what you get in life. Take a moment to reflect on your priorities. Consider these questions; what order do I prioritise myself, my relationship, my children, my business, and other relationships? Ask yourself what this priority system is costing you and what changes you could make to align with the life and relationship you truly want.

Just like business, life is always giving you feedback, it’s not personal, but it does require you to make adjustments if you want to succeed in your relationship as well as in business.

Start by prioritising yourself, self-care is essential. You can’t perform at your best if your battery is running low, the same way if your phone or laptop is dying you can’t get work done. When you take care of your emotional, physical, and mental well-being, you’re better equipped to support your relationship, family, and work. Remember, prioritising yourself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary for succeeding in every area of your life.

Struggle #2: Expectations and competition

With modern challenges, including changing societal roles and technology’s influence, many couples struggle with outdated expectations.

Both partners may work full-time, leading to confusion around roles and responsibilities. Unspoken expectations and comparison can result in resentment and distance, especially when one partner feels they’re carrying the mental load alone.

The solution: Create a shared relationship vision that defines your goals, values, and success as a couple. This vision works similar to a “business plan”. Every business has a plan for their business which defines the direction, provides clarity on the goals, sets clear values and communicates the vision to the team. Just like a business can’t succeed without a plan, a relationship without a vision often falls into the trap of just existing on autopilot like roommates instead of a couple.

Set aside time each year to revisit this vision. Just like your business evolves over time, so does your relationship. If you don’t keep up to date with business, you get left behind; the same is true in your relationship if you leave it to chance.

Struggle #3: Communication and connection breakdown

Running a business leaves little mental and emotional capacity for meaningful connection and conversations, leading to miscommunication, misunderstandings, and disconnection in relationships.

The solution: Rebuild connection and communication with intentional time. A simple 10-minute weekly check-in can help couples stay aligned, support each other, and nurture their relationship. Pick a consistent time each week – Sundays work well for most couples – to sit down, plan for the week ahead and ask these six powerful questions:

1. What went well for us last week, or what are you excited about this week?
2. What’s a priority for you this week?
3. What do you need support with?
4. Do we need to adjust anything to make time for self-care?
5. What’s one thing we can do together this week to feel connected?
6. What actions do we need to take after this check-in?

This weekly check-in allows you to reconnect, align priorities, and move forward as a team, no matter how busy life gets.

Running a business doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your relationship. True fulfillment comes from balancing external achievements with meaningful relationships – because what’s the point of business success if you have no one to share it with?

The post Three relationship problems business owners struggle with – and how to fix them appeared first on Inside Small Business.

The owner and director of JM Virtual Business Services first noticed she was having hearing issues while conducting business networking events with large audiences. Jo is on the membership committee of Business Networking International, and facilitates weekly members’ meetings.

“There’s at least a hundred people in the room,” she explains. “I couldn’t hear anything.”

When the meetings took place online, every second week, Jo noticed herself learning towards her computer’s speaking and continuously turning the volume up. She also noticed how much she relied on lip-reading when some participants didn’t have their camera turned on.

“On online meetings, I’d always have to put on a transcriber, so I could read what was happening,” she says.

Jo’s hearing loss didn’t just affect her business. She says her ex-partner began to have difficulties getting her attention at home, too. 

“My ex was saying, ‘Did you hear me? Did you hear me?’. And it was like – am I purposely blocking him out and not listening, or did I really not hear him?”

The turning point

Jo originally got her hearing checked after reading some information about the coincidence of menopause and hearing loss.

“When you reach menopausal age, hearing can become challenging,” she explains. “So I thought I better go get my hearing checked.”

After undergoing a hearing test, Jo wasn’t referred to a hearing aid specialist right away. Instead, her audiologist told her to keep an eye on “two points of concern”, she says. But 12 months later, with her symptoms worsening, the entrepreneur decided to seek help. She booked an appointment to explore solutions for her hearing difficulties, which led to a week-long trial of options.

Jo says she noticed the difference immediately – and so did those around her. 

“I remember standing in a crowded room next to one of my colleagues,” Jo says. “We weren’t facing each other, and they said something. And I turned around and said, ‘Yeah’. And they said, ‘that’s the first time you’ve ever done that. You always watch my lips’.”

Impact on business

Jo says the impact on her entrepreneurial activities has been “life changing”.

“I can hear without lip reading. I’m not as exhausted at the end of the day. Everything’s just easier. I didn’t realise how challenged I was.”

Another unexpected effect of addressing her hearing loss was a reinvigorated passion for her business.

“I’ve totally fallen in love with my business again, and it’s simply because I can hear better,” she says.

The business owner describes how her networking activities have flourished with the improvement of her hearing. She’s now advocating for more people to get their hearing checked, especially if they are currently undergoing menopause.

“I think there is a bit of a stigma around, I think just getting older,” she says. “I’m telling everyone I know how good it’s been for me. Even if they don’t think they need a hearing test, do one online with the earbuds in a quiet room. I actually did that to start with.”

The post Addressing her hearing challenges was a turning point for this business owner appeared first on Inside Small Business.

A total of $10.8 million will be allocated to the Small Business Debt Helpline and the NewAccess for Small Business Owners programs that commenced last 1 January throughout an 18-month period.

The NewAccess for Small Business Owners program is a free, confidential one‑on‑one mental health coaching program delivered by Beyond Blue. It provides small-business owners with up to six structured sessions via phone or video with a trained mental health coach who has a small business background, allowing them to better understand the unique challenges small business owners may face. No GP referral or mental health treatment plan is required.

Meanwhile, the Small Business Debt Helpline is a dedicated small business financial counselling service delivered by Financial Counselling Australia that provides free, independent and confidential phone‑based support to small-business owners nationally regardless of the cause of their financial hardship.

Minister for Small Business Julie Collins stated, “Small businesses are the engine room of Australia’s economy, and employ millions of employees. It’s important they have the support they need, when they need it.”

“Small-business owners and operators are resilient, but we also know some small businesses are doing it tough right now. That’s why this support is so important. This is part of our more than $640 million in practical and targeted support for small businesses, outlined in our Small Business Statement,” Collins added.

Small-business owners who are interested to know more or take part in the NewAccess for Small Business Owners program by calling 1300 945 301 or via the Beyond Blue website. They can also contact the Small Business Debt Helpline by calling 1800 413 828 or via the Small Business Debt Helpline website.

The post Government investing in small-business support programs appeared first on Inside Small Business.

“I didn’t really have a life,” Sheena says. “I just felt so exhausted by the weekend, like I needed to collapse.”

The entrepreneur explains how she knew that what she was feeling was burnout and not stress. She says that stress drives her to action, allowing her to move along in life. Burnout, on the other hand, was the aftermath of her stress and anxiety: exhaustion so complete that her life began to consist of just work and rest.

“You aren’t burnt out if you just had a big day and now you’re tired. That’s kind of like saying you’re OCD when you just like things clean and tidy,” Sheena explains. “True burnout is really that physical and emotional exhaustion that is happening more often than not, and it’s becoming a regular pattern…It might look like working, exercising and sleeping without any energy for friends, family or anything else.”

To overcome burnout, Sheena notes that she had to “train herself” to rest. This can be difficult to learn – even uncomfortable – if you’re not used to doing things just for yourself, she says. The entrepreneur admits that resting had always felt “lazy” and “unproductive” to her. She learnt to overcome these emotions, however, and internalise that free time is just as important as working, cleaning or exercising.

Aside from learning to embrace rest, Sheena started seeing a therapist. During her sessions, she began to unpack a “constant need for achievement” that she says led to her anxiety and burnout. Sheena also focused more on her physical health, seeing a naturopath and receiving IV drip therapy for vitamins and minerals.

Finally, Sheena says that switching to a more flexible work week has been the best thing for her burnout journey and ongoing mental health. The therapist and business mentor is an advocate for the 20-hour work week, and now instructs other professionals on how they, too, can lessen their hours. She says she mentors workers from various industries on how to pivot their career into businesses that give them flexibility in their schedule – even if it is just part-time initially. 

“Having control over what you do and how you do it has a major impact on how our work affects us,” she says. “This is why rigid micromanaged workplaces have the highest rates of burnout, due to lack of control by the employees and lack of trust from the business.”

To avoid burnout, Sheena urges small-business owners to learn to let go.

“If you want your business to be around in two, five or 10 years, you need to learn the concept of, ‘I let go, so I can grow,’” she says.

Letting go can begin by delegating simple admin tasks to teammates initially, then other tasks as the business grows, Sheena says. She adds that, ideally, your goal will be less about service or product delivery, and more about managing the business in a way that you can switch off because you have people to whom you can delegate. 

“It’s about learning how to trust your business systems and team,” Sheena says. “I love James Clear’s quote: ‘You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.’”

This article first appeared in issue 46 of the Inside Small Business quarterly magazine

The post How this small-business owner overcame complete burnout appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Fortunately, often these feelings pass or we have strategies in place to deal with them. We go for a run to clear our heads, break down our challenges into manageable chunks, chat with a friend to mull over a problem, or prioritise sleep or mindfulness to reenergise and ground ourselves.

But what happens when these coping strategies are short-lived, not effective, or we ignore the warning signs altogether and our levels of distress worsen?

Last month, Beyond Blue released data undertaken by Australian National University’s Social Research Centre that showed 49 per cent of people who sought professional mental health support said they had waited until they were “very distressed” or “extremely distressed” before they reached out.  This is a concerning statistic, especially when we know that the sooner you seek support the quicker you bounce back.

The top barriers to taking action included waitlists, affordability of treatment and people thinking their problem wasn’t serious enough to seek support. 

For small-business owners, it’s often the case that they prioritise their business’s needs before their own. It’s understandable when small business invests so much of themselves into their business. However, a mentally healthy small-business owner is a more productive small-business owner.  

Some tips that can help small-business owners address some of their stresses include:

• Deal with problems one at a time – break down problems into bite-size pieces,
• Notice common thinking traps – all-or-nothing thinking, self-blame, repetitive thinking,
• Have realistic goals – make it achievable, not everything or even close to everything, needs to be perfect,
• Write down what it is you’re good at and then what you struggle with – consider outsourcing some of the latter if possible so you can focus on your strengths.
• Make time to network – the day-to-day running of a business can take over if you let it. Look for opportunities to meet like-minded people who you can share your experiences with and who can enliven your creativity.

That last point extends to building strong support networks across all aspects of life and business to keep you connected, maintain balance in your life and gain different perspectives. There are lots of options available, like joining your local chamber of commerce, industry association or even just chatting to your business adviser or accountant.  If you’re struggling, it’s helpful to have these connections to fall back on. However, when mental health issues continue despite making efforts to maintain your mental health, it’s important to reach out and not push on thinking that the issues will go away.

We know that some small-business owners think that speaking with a mental health practitioner won’t help them tackle issues in a practical way or that they won’t understand what it’s like to run a small business. Sometimes they are facing compounded issues that span personal life and business, and more practical advice and support is required. To help, small-business programs such as NewAccess for Small Business Owners (NASBO) offers a free, tailor-made program that pairs small-business owners with a mental health coach who has a background in small business or have owned their own business, so they understand the pressures that small-business owners are under and can help with practical tools and strategies.

NASBO coaches encourage small-business owners to reach out at the first sign of overwhelm, just when things are starting to feel beyond reach. The program helps small-business owners get back on track and feel more productive. It is available to small-business owners across Australia. No GP referral is required.

The post How to deal with the stresses of life and business as we hurtle towards the end of the year appeared first on Inside Small Business.