Body doubling: working alongside someone

What is body doubling?

Body doubling means working on your own task while another person is present, in person or remotely. The other person need not help with the task. Some people report useful structure or company, but benefits vary and the evidence does not justify a guaranteed effect or a claim that it treats ADHD.

No fixed rate

a reliable improvement rate is not established here

No fixed rate

there is no guaranteed increase in time on task

It varies

choose a suitable session length; no effective minimum is established

Why some people find it useful

Agreed accountability

Another person’s presence may help you remember your agreed intention.

External structure

An agreed start and end can make a session easier to organise.

Company

Supportive company can feel motivating without establishing a dopamine mechanism.

Ways to try body doubling

In the same room

Work at a shared table
Each person works on their own task
Agree on how much conversation is welcome
Shared breaks

Remotely

A video or audio call, with consent and suitable privacy
Virtual coworking sessions
Suitable apps
Online study sessions

In a café

Other people in the background
Ambient activity
A change of setting
An optional public working setting, without formal accountability

A library

A quiet place to work
Others working nearby
Choose a place with manageable distractions
Check access, opening times and any costs locally

Agreements for a useful session

Agree on how much conversation is welcome — agree on boundaries for conversation
Agree on breaks — try a work-and-break rhythm that suits both people
Clarify aims in advance — decide what each person wants to work on
Reduce distractions — phones, social media or notifications
Try timers — timed intervals can provide structure

Possible virtual formats

Focusmate — a virtual coworking service; check its current terms and privacy
Flow Club — group work sessions, where available
Study Together — study livestreams, if useful and comfortable
Online communities — communities offering agreed coworking sessions

If interaction feels tiring

Try a mutually agreed quiet remote session or a suitable café or library. Choose the amount of interaction, privacy and noise that works for you; another person’s presence can also be distracting.

Ready to start? Try Sinqly now.

Open Sinqly