Biohacking for Creative Productivity: Tools I Use to Get in the Zone

If you know me, you probably know by now that over the past few years, I’ve become a fitness enthusiast. I love breaking a sweat, and I’m always flattered when someone asks for details about my workout routine.

Recently, though, I’ve been incorporated biohacking for creativity into my fitness routine. It's all about optimizing my brain and body so I can get into the creative zone faster and more naturally.

The idea behind these biohacking techniques is simple: our brain and body are connected, and when we’re in a state of alignment, we perform better. When you’re really excited about an idea, your body naturally gets energized. You might start pacing around or moving as you brainstorm. This is your body helping you stay in that creative flow state. It’s not just about the mind—it’s about syncing your energy, your thoughts, and your movements to help you get things done.

Walking for Ideation

One tool that has worked wonders for me is something simple: walking. When I’m brainstorming new ideas or even drafting articles, I walk. It sounds almost too simple, right? But there’s something about getting your heart rate above resting levels, but not at a full-out sprint, that puts me into this relaxed, free-flowing state. It’s perfect for ideation.

As I walk, I think through the stories I want to tell, the points I need to make, and sometimes, I dictate my thoughts to a voice memo as I go. Being in motion helps keep my mind clear and my thoughts moving. I’m not distracted by my phone or the temptation to check my email, and the rhythm of my footsteps keeps my mind engaged. I get lost in the process, and suddenly, a complex idea becomes easier to organize.

Rachel on a nature walk with one of her littles.

I’ve also had success using this approach while doing yard work. It’s a repetitive task that keeps my body engaged, but not too focused, which frees up mental space for creative ideas to bubble up.

Zone 2 Cardio for Deep Work

The next biohack I’ve been experimenting with is a little more intense: Zone 2 cardio. Now, Zone 2 is a cardio zone where your heart rate is elevated but you can still breathe easily and hold a conversation. It’s where marathon runners and endurance athletes spend a lot of their training time.

Here’s the kicker—Zone 2 is tough for me. When I’m in that zone, I’d rather either slow down and enjoy a walk or ramp up into sprints to get the endorphins I’m craving. But what I’ve learned is that if I push through that initial discomfort and distract myself, I can stay in Zone 2 for much longer than I thought. The physical state of exertion actually helps me overcome mental resistance.

When I’m running in Zone 2, my body is physically saying “go, go, go,” and this pushes me to override my mental hesitations. I don’t have the mental space to overthink; I just keep moving forward. And it turns out, this is an incredibly productive state for writing. The rhythm of my body keeps my brain engaged, and before I know it, I’ve knocked out a draft.

Binaural Beats and Isotonic Tones for Focus

Another biohacking tool I've been using for years is brainwave syncing techniques.

The first is binaural beats. These beats use two slightly different frequencies in each ear, which your brain then interprets as a third frequency, helping to sync your brainwaves to specific frequencies for desired effects—like deep focus, relaxation, or creativity.

I use binaural beats with my headphones to lock my brain into a state that’s perfect for creative thinking and productivity. The beats work by stimulating the brain to enter a particular frequency range, which can help me focus for longer periods, stay calm under pressure, or dive deep into the creative flow. I’ve found binaural beats to be especially helpful when I need to block out distractions and really hone-in on a task, whether I’m writing or working on my art.

Isotonic tones, on the other hand, are different. These are typically a steady background sound source. While binaural beats require headphones, isotonic tones create a consistent background ambiance that supports brainwave synchronization without the need for headphones.

The key for both is to have it just loud enough to be audible but not distracting. In time, you'll stop noticing the sound and can even layer it under music or other background noise. My favorite place for all things ambient noise is mynoise.net. It's experimental noises section has customizable binaural and isotonic settings that you can mix to match your desired state, whether for sleep, ideation, or focus.

Syncing Work with My Hormonal Cycle

One of the more fascinating biohacks I’ve started paying attention to is syncing my work to my hormonal cycle. If you’re in your childbearing years, this is especially valuable for creative entrepreneurs. I’ve learned that during my follicular cycle (the first half of the month), I tend to feel more courageous, driven, and social. This is when I create big ideas, push myself out of my comfort zone, and get to work on projects that challenge me.

I batch a lot of my content creation and art production during this time. I know I’m more likely to feel bold and ready to tackle new projects. As I move into the luteal phase (the second half of my cycle), I start to feel more focused on refining work, handling the administrative work of my business, and finishing up the smaller details.

And then, during my menstrual phase, I rest. No expectations, no pressure. This is when I prioritize long walks, yoga, and just letting myself be. I’ve found that this rest period is essential for recharging. By the time I’m back in my follicular cycle, I’m ready to hit the ground running again.

Closing Thoughts

These tools have been game-changers for me in terms of creative output. They’re about optimizing the connection between my mind and body, giving me more ways to flow with my energy instead of against it. It’s all about setting yourself up for success by using what your body and brain naturally offer to get in the zone.

At the end of the day, it’s not about perfection. It’s about being consistent, experimenting with what works, and finding the tools that help you perform your best. Biohacking is just a means to an end—unlocking more of your potential so you can keep creating, keep producing, and keep moving forward.

I’d love to hear about the tools or routines you use to boost your productivity. How do you sync your body and mind to get in the zone? Let me know in the comments!