body doubling
/ˈbɒdi ˈdʌblɪŋ/
CommonWorking alongside another person to help you focus or get started on tasks.
The person does not need to be in the same room. Virtual body doubling over video call works too. It is a common ADHD coping strategy, but many non-ADHD people also benefit from it.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | can you just sit on call with me while i do this? i need body doubling. | Asking a friend to be present over video to help with focus. | x, 2023 |
| 02 | i can't work at home alone. body doubling is the only reason i'm productive. | The person relies on others' presence to function. | tiktok, 2024 |
| 03 | joined a study with me stream for body doubling. cleaned my whole room. | Using a streamer's presence on YouTube or Twitch to get tasks done. | reddit, 2023 |
| 04 | the idea of asking someone to just sit there while i work felt embarrassing until i learned it was body doubling and like half of adhd people do it. | Realizing a coping mechanism you already used has a name and is widely shared. | tiktok, 2023 |
Use it when
- You need someone nearby to help you focus on a task.
- You work better at a coffee shop or library than at home alone.
- You are explaining why you ask a friend to sit with you while you do chores.
- You are using a virtual co-working session to stay on task.
Do not use it when
- You just mean collaboration or working together on the same task.Use “co-working” instead.
Variations and related forms
Origin and context
A term from ADHD coaching and therapeutic communities describing the productivity benefit of having another person present. Gained mainstream awareness through social media in the early 2020s.
- First seen
- 2010s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/body-doublingUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0