What is Body Boubling?
Body doubling is a practice in which a person works on and completes potentially frustrating tasks alongside another person. The body double’s job is to help anchor the person to the present moment and task, reducing the risk of distraction. This can be especially helpful for making a boring task more enjoyable and rewarding, or for providing subtle pressure to remain focused. In some cases, the mere presence of a body double can also soothe an anxious mind and model attentive, focused work. We use it a lot in the Calling Up Justice practice.
The body double may make a boring task more rewarding and fun. Alternatively, they may place subtle pressure on the person with to remain focused. In some cases, the mere presence of a body double soothes the anxious mind of a person with symptoms of hyperactivity. A body double can also model attentive, focused work.Body doubling simply means doing a task in the presence of another person. The other person may help with the task, such as when a couple or housemates do housework together. They may work on the same task, but independently, such as when friends do homework together. Or they might simply be present, listening to music or quietly performing an unrelated task.
Benefits to Body Doubling
There are several benefits to body doubling, including activation, motivation, and emotional regulation. Often, people know what they need to do, but they have trouble getting started. Having a designated time to begin and having the visual cue of another person working can be helpful in getting started on a task. Body doubling can also provide motivation, as research has shown that social encounters can activate the dopamine pathway, which is important for motivation and reward. Engaging with a body double may help boost dopamine levels. Finally, body doubling can also help with emotional regulation, as the presence of another person can provide a sense of support and stability.
Finding a Body Double
In some ways the traditionally workspace naturally provides body doubling. When we are working independently we might join co-working organization to work alongside others in an office type environment. Sometimes it can be as easy as inviting a friend over to work with you. The Calling Up Justice practice holds scheduled virtual co-working spaces on a weekly basis. Many members also hold impromptu virtual sessions on platforms like tiktok and twitch.
Your body double can be a classmate, friend, or family member, or another acquaintance. A person might use multiple body doubles to accomplish different tasks or change body doubles for the same task. For example, a person might work with their spouse to complete housework but partner with a variety of different colleagues to complete work projects. In the CripCreate co-working space we focus on accessibility for our community and use the breakout rooms to allow people to body double or have conversations.