For many of us, summer doesn’t mean switching off. In fact, 71% of people admit they check work email while on vacation, according to a recent ZeroBounce study on workplace email habits. The fear of returning to an overflowing inbox makes it difficult to fully disconnect.
But even if a true digital detox isn’t realistic, small rituals can make a big difference. Whether it’s watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee, taking a morning hike, or ending the day by the ocean, these founders have found simple ways to slow down, rest, and return to work with a little more energy and perspective.
Dr. Letitia Wright: “It’s a fun interruption.”
“Quick four-day getaways where I can work on location make me much happier at work! For example, this quote is coming to you from the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a happy, unexpected, and fun interruption that doesn’t ruin my time away and gives me renewed focus and productivity when I return!”
— Dr. Letitia Wright, TV Host and CEO of Wright Place Studios
Jack Reamer: “A strenuous workout is my summer ritual.”
“Starting the day with a strenuous outdoor workout is my summer ritual. Getting some vitamin D, fresh air, and an endorphin boost helps me feel energized and focused. By the time I sit down at my desk (with a strong cup of coffee in hand, of course), it already feels like I’ve won the day.”
— Jack Reamer, founder of SalesBread
Dawna Campbell: “I get a little time to be present.”
“Every summer, I head back to Montana. It’s where I slow down and remember what matters.
The Fourth of July is always the start of the season. There’s a parade through our little Hallmark-like town, crossing the old one-lane bridge. That night, everyone heads to the rodeo, and before long, Going-to-the-Sun Road opens through Glacier National Park.
I spend as much time outside as I can. Hiking Mount Aeneas for the incredible views. Long dinners by the lake that stretch until the 10 p.m. sunset. Mornings on the deck with a cup of coffee, watching the light creep across the mountains while the breeze carries the scent of pine.
Those mornings are my favorite part of summer. Before the emails and meetings begin again, I get a little time to simply be present. I come back to those moments every year, and they always leave me feeling ready for whatever comes next.”
— Dawna Campbell, founder of The Abundant Soul
Michael Bedenbaugh: “Those moments remind me what matters.”
“My favorite part of the day begins before I ever reach my desk. Each morning, my wife wakes me, usually with help from our two ‘littles’ – Teddy, our Maltipoo, and Odie, our beagle. I make toast and coffee, sweetened with monk fruit to watch my waistline, then add enough heavy whipping cream to keep my sense of self intact.
We take everything outside and sit together on the back deck. As the sun rises, the world seems to wake around us. The dogs explore, the coffee settles in, and my wife and I have some of our best conversations. Those moments remind me what matters: family, gratitude, purpose, and the privilege of beginning again.
That morning ritual makes me happier, steadier, and more enthusiastic about the day’s work ahead, as I prepare to spend the day challenging our nation to remember its principles and join the effort to revive our republic together.”
— Michael Bedenbaugh, founder of Reviving Our Republic
Dr. Liz DuBois Erskine: “I love shifting my hours.”
“I love shifting my hours in the summer so that I have afternoons by the pool with my kid sipping my favorite summer drink, an invention of my own that I call a ruby nipple: fresh grapefruit juice, splash of Sprite zero, and a squeeze of lime!”
— Dr. Liz DuBois Erskine, founder of Dr. Liz DuBois Coaching
Kristine Genovese: “I always end by setting an intention.”
“One of my favorite summer rituals is journaling with my coffee by the ocean. The sound of the waves immediately improves my energy and sets the tone for my sacred time.
The primordial sound of the universe is ‘OM,’ and I often feel that vibration reflected in the ocean’s endless rhythm. As I write, I notice the wildlife around me and I wonder if they’re carrying a spiritual message.
Sometimes I record a dream or a Divine download, pull a card for guidance, or reflect on a meaningful quote. I always end by setting an intention for how I want to feel. I close my eyes and embody that feeling before the day begins.
When I start my mornings this way, I feel deeply aligned with my Soul Intelligence, and that inner alignment becomes the foundation for everything I do.”
— Kristine Genovese, Creator of the Soul Intelligence Method
Also by Corina Leslie: What Do You Call the @ Sign? 25 Answers From Around the World