What is body doubling, and could it kickstart a return to the office?

Another day, another TikTok workplace trend. This time, employees are raving about ‘body doubling’, as a new study reveals that the craze is gaining traction in UK workplaces. But what does it actually mean?

Simply put, body doubling is the act of completing work while having another person present. It is often seen as a productivity hack.

Following in the footsteps of various office trends, such as hushed hybrid and quiet quitting, body doubling’s popularity suggests that workers may have a renewed appreciation for the social aspect of in-office work.

What is body doubling?

Using UK Google search data, researchers at recruitment software firm, Toggl Hire say they have identified body doubling as the most popular workplace trend for Brits this year.

According to Toggl Hire, the term refers to completing work in the presence of another person, whether physically or virtually, to enhance focus and productivity.

Workers can body double while collaborating on a shared project, or while working on individual tasks. The key is that both parties are aware of each other’s presence, a form of accountability that keeps them on track and motivated to hit milestones.

While body doubling may work best in ‘real life’, the benefits of working alongside others can also be accessed through virtual body doubling via using video conferencing platforms such as Google Meet and Zoom.

Another, related trend is ‘monk mode’, which refers to shutting off all distractions to focus on a single task, entering a ‘deep work’ state to maximise productivity. The name appears to have been inspired by the disciplined lifestyle of monks.

“The popularity of Body Doubling and Monk Mode highlights our struggle with digital distractions and the blurred boundaries between work and personal life,” states Alari Aho, CEO of Toggl Hire.

Who is body doubling for?

Toggl Hire suggests that body doubling primarily emerged as a technique to help those with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (also known as ADHD). People with ADHD often have trouble regulating their concentration.

However, the trend can also be useful for neurotypical employees to overcome procrastination and anxiety, or simply to improve focus. Recent research suggests that over two-thirds (67%) of UK workers find themselves distracted during the workday.

This may be due to an increase in digital distractions within modern workplaces, particularly due to the constant presence of personal phones at work.

To establish a healthy working balance, body doubling might also be combined with other productivity hacks. For example, the Pomodoro technique.

This involves splitting the working day into manageable 25-minute chunks, sandwiched with breaks in between. Sharing these breaks with a friend or colleague can make them feel more rewarding, offering an incentive to stick to the structure.

Is body doubling a response to RTO mandates?

As many employers backtrack on remote working arrangements, body doubling could be considered a response to return-to-office (RTO) mandates. While remote working has its pros, the shift back to physical workplaces may be driven partly by those who need to work alongside others to experience optimum focus and accountability in their work.

Awareness of body doubling has been building on TikTok, meaning that it is likely gaining popularity with a younger crowd, who appear more ready to embrace office working.

Evidence suggests that Gen Z graduates want to work in an office for their first job. In part, this is driven by a desire to avoid feeling isolated and lonely while WFH and fully appreciate the social benefits of working in a physical office.

Home working also often lacks the inherent structure of a traditional office, which can make it hard for staff to maintain focus. Remote or hybrid businesses should be on the lookout for anyone who appears to be body doubling, as it could be a sign of isolation among team members, prompting a need for interventions.

In-person team days, structured virtual check-ins, and clearer communication channels can all serve to combat disengagement and foster a stronger sense of connection.