Body Doubling
Working in the presence of another person to facilitate task initiation. Community-developed executive function tool backed by social facilitation theory.
ADHDExecutive Function
Layer 3: Recognised
Clinical Recognition
Not formally studied as 'body doubling,' but mechanism validated by social facilitation theory (Zajonc, 1965). Increasingly mentioned by ADHD coaches and therapists.
Community Validation
Very high usage in ADHD communities. Entire platforms built around virtual body doubling (Focusmate, Flow Club).
Published
17 December 2025 by Team Heumans
Body Doubling is working in the presence of another person—often silently—to make task initiation possible. They don't help. They don't talk. They just exist in the same space, and suddenly your brain can do the thing it couldn't do alone.
It's not about accountability (though that can help). It's about creating a "social container" that anchors your attention and provides just enough structure for your executive function to engage. The other person acts as an external frontal lobe.