Body Doubles

[SurfaceSun]

There IS a need for a shadow while you work.

It’s not play pretend. It’s not an excuse for not getting things done. It’s not because you are lazy. It’s ADHD!

[STEM_Dad]

Body doubling does indeed work.

I am curious to know why it works, so I searched Google for theories. The AI generated response said this:

"There are several theories about why body doubling works, including:

• Accountability: Knowing someone else is aware of your goals can increase your sense of accountability.

• Social facilitation: The presence of others can improve individual performance, even if they're working independently.

• Structure: Scheduled body doubling sessions can add structure to your day.

• Motivation: Working with others can create shared energy and motivation.

• Procrastination: Committing to working with someone can help you avoid procrastination.

• Behavioral modeling: Mirroring someone's actions can help you stay on task.

• Social learning: Observation and imitation are powerful learning tools.

• Calming presence: Another person's calm presence can help people with ADHD by modeling focused behavior or calming them down."

These theories all seem to make sense, but could it work for all of these reasons, or maybe just certain ones?

I definitely believe there's a social aspect, since we humans are social creatures. Mirroring seems very plausible to me, too.

I find that body doubling works best when I'm free to discuss the work that I'm doing with my peers, and they with me. My experience from certain work teams that I've been on tells me that given the right conditions, two people who are body doubling might be more productive as three working entirely independently. It would require having a good work dynamic.

(I also think that body doubling can result in spontaneous cooperation, i.e., "Let's work together on your task, then work together on my talk, and then we can get started on the next one sooner.")

[wtfadhd]

humans have been “body doubling and shadowing” since the beginning of time. humans were consistently surrounded by other humans and working together and parallel. i bet us ADHD folks did way better in caveman times! lol

modern society has been restructured so that the norm is to function independent- live alone, be alone in cubicle at work, not have any face to face friends n tricked into believing that social media interactions are a legit substitute. etc etc

and now we have to give this concept of humans requiring human connection some fancy name like “ doubling/ shadowing” and download apps n pay for it. and really, its just a fake form of connection but sometimes its the best we can do.

it was n is my 2024 resolution to widen my social circle- all the different rungs. its very challenging and rewarding too. it is both socially draining and recharging. society tells us that those two things cant go together but they most absolutely certainly do and its good for the soul❤️

[Mamamichl]

it definitely is. Most people are more productive when others keep them going by doing the same thing. I think it’s part of humanity, but it’s stronger with us having adhd