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Body Doubling
r parallel working[1] is a strategy used to initiate and complete tasks, such as household chores or writing and other computer tasks.[2] It involves the physical presence, virtual presence through a phone call, videotelephony or social media presence,[2][3] of someone with whom one shares their goals, which makes it more likely to achieve them.[1] For some people, it works best to both do similar tasks, while for others, just being in the same (virtual) room is enough.[2] It was partially popularized by those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to help manage symptoms.[4] Its usefulness has also been noted by those with autism,[2] but efficacy is not clearly known as long term studies have not been conducted on the topic.[2] In 2023, J. Russel Ramsay, professor of clinical psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine and co-director of the ADHD treatment and research program of the University of Pennsylvania, noted that, while extensive research on the strategy's effect on productivity doesn't exist, "the idea of externalizing motivation is a longstanding evidence-based mechanism for managing ADHD."[4] ADHD body doubling comes into play allowing individuals with ADHD to perform and complete tasks more easily and with less distractions, where otherwise they might struggle more.
[5] Additionally, individuals with ADHD oftentimes have educational accommodations such as extra time on exams, preferred seating, and breaking down tasks into various steps. It is now widely used as part of therapeutic settings to assist individuals with autism, anxiety disorders, and other conditions influenced by functioning deficits. Examples of body doubling could include someone asking a person to be on Zoom while they work on something, doing chores while on a phone with their friend, or joining a study group while preparing for a test.
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