7 Small Things Every Business Owner Can Do to Look After Themselves (Without Overhauling Your Life)
If you run a business, chances are you're near the bottom of your own priority list. The business comes first, then the family, the kids, the dog, the admin, and somewhere at the very bottom, you.
I feel strongly that as business owners we need to look after ourselves to succeed and thrive in our businesses. So I invited health coach Rebecca Wiggans onto the WIN podcast to talk about it, and what I loved most was how doable her advice was. No massive life overhaul, no expensive programmes. Just small steps that fit into a real, busy life.
Here are the tips from our conversation, plus a few of my own confessions along the way.
1. Start with one thing you already know you should do
Rebecca's first piece of advice is refreshingly simple: think about what you really know you need to do. For most of us there's already a thing. Drink more water. Sleep more. Eat less processed food.
The knowing isn't the problem. The how is. As Rebecca put it, we all know we could drink more water, but how is that going to work into your day? One habit at a time, built into your life, beats a long list of good intentions.
2. Make the habit fit your life, not the other way round
Tips only work if they're realistic for you. Rebecca has seen clients buy a cute water bottle and carry it everywhere, or leave cups at strategic points around the house. If you're at your desk all day, keep a glass next to you. If you're running around after children, you may need water in every room.
(I'll be honest, I've done the nice bottle thing and it ended up on the side. I'm going to try bottles all around the house. My husband is going to love it.)
Ask yourself: when will I do this, and what will remind me?
3. Drink more water (and here's why)
I'd heard "drink more water" for years without knowing why. Rebecca explained that your body needs water for cellular processes, so dehydrated cells won't work as well as they should. Water supports digestion and energy too.
Her bonus tip: if you feel tired a lot of the time, you might just be dehydrated. And if you feel hungry, it can actually mean you're thirsty. Have a glass of water first and see if you're still as hungry as you thought. If you're a coffee lover, try a glass of water before your first caffeine hit of the day.
4. Turn the packet over and read the label
The front of a food packet can be very misleading. Rebecca told a great story about a granola that promised "a hint of honey" on the front, but when she turned it over, sugar was the second ingredient and honey was way down the list.
Her simple rules of thumb:
Ingredients are listed largest first, so check the order.
If sugar is in the first four or five ingredients, that's a red flag.
If there's a long list of ingredients you don't recognise, the food is likely highly processed.
A short list of ingredients you recognise is usually a better option.
5. Take sleep seriously
Sleep is hugely underrated, and for many business owners it's almost a badge of honour to survive on four or five hours. Rebecca pointed out that even if you fall asleep easily, it doesn't mean you're getting enough, or good quality, sleep.
If you're in a season of life with little ones, there's not a lot you can do, so give yourself grace and support yourself in other ways, like nourishing food and water. But if you don't have that going on, this could be a great place to start. (Yes, that means putting down the phone. I said it to the camera too.)
6. Move in ways you enjoy
Movement doesn't have to mean the gym, a class or taking up running. Start where you are, with something you enjoy: gardening, or a walk up the road on your coffee break.
Rebecca also reminded me that gentle movement counts. I've recently started yoga alongside my usual sweaty classes, and it's been brilliant for switching off my busy business owner brain. Her advice: in an ideal world we do a bit of strength, a bit of aerobic, and something relaxing like yoga.
7. Give yourself 10 minutes that are just yours
Relaxation doesn't need to be a meditation practice or a yoga retreat. Take 10 minutes to read a book, dance around the kitchen or listen to music. That's your time, and it's a really nice way to start.
Bonus: don't underestimate connection
As business owners, especially if we work from home or on our own, it can be isolating. Rebecca shared that social connection has real health benefits, so getting out to a friendly networking group to bounce ideas around and meet real people isn't just good for business, it's good for you. Networking, it turns out, is good for your health. Rebecca said it, not me!
She also gave a brilliant tip for those "so, what do you do?" moments at networking events. Have one or two lines ready that make people curious. Hers is: "I'm a health coach and I help busy people prioritise themselves when they're so busy prioritising everything else." Notice it speaks to how the listener feels, not just what she does.
Where to start
You don't need to do all of this at once. Pick one thing, make it a habit, then add the next. As Rebecca says, it's the little baby steps that move you in the right direction and end up making a huge difference, without creating extra overwhelm.
Rebecca offers a complimentary 40 minute health coaching call over Zoom, where you'll come away with one small step to get moving, and see how health coaching works.
Book your complimentary call: https://calendly.com/hello-rebeccaholistichealthcoach/complimentary40min?month=2026-09
Find Rebecca:
🌐 https://www.rebeccaholistichealthcoach.com/
📸 https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaholistichealthcoach/
👤 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567178302975
Listen to the full episode:
🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0DM7Ooc5nLezg4u91OklYo?si=83acff1303aa4471
📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDVCZqf8LiBs92aTeEHZsWrtoNRJEVCXn&si=kfsbmnaQYm0lelUk
Find Women Inspired Network
If this conversation has got you thinking about your own health, come and find your people. WIN events are relaxed, pay-as-you-go, and there's no pitching and no pressure — just real conversations with other women in business.
🌐 Website: www.womeninspirednetwork.com/events
📸 Instagram: @women_inspired_network
👤 Facebook: Women Inspired Network: Networking For Women In Business