Look, focus is hard when your brain is trying to scroll 17 imaginary tabs at once. But if you’ve been wondering how to focus better with ADHD, there’s a TikTok trick buzzing around that’s surprisingly legit — and backed by what many ADHD creators (myself included) swear by. It’s called “body doubling,” and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like (kind of).
ANSWER: The TikTok focus trick everyone’s talking about is body doubling — basically, doing tasks while someone else is nearby. It helps ADHD brains stay on track by faking structure and making it harder to drift off into chaos mode.
How to focus better with ADHD when your brain wants to do literally anything else
Body doubling works because having someone else physically present gives your brain a little gentle pressure to stay engaged. You’re not even working with them — just alongside them. And for whatever glitchy neurodivergent reason, that hits different.
I’ve started calling it “focus osmosis.” Like, my girlfriend’s in the room being a total gremlin on her Switch, and suddenly I’m answering emails like I’m on payroll. It’s bizarre and beautiful.
Easy focus tips for ADHD (that won’t make you roll your eyes)
If the whole body double thing feels kinda awkward or you don’t have someone around 24/7, here are a few ADHD-friendly ways to make it work:
- Virtual body double: Hop on a video call with a friend. Cameras on or off — doesn’t matter.
- Cozy chaos: Work from a coffee shop or somewhere with humans nearby.
- The fake friend hack: Play a YouTube video of someone studying or coworking. Yep, even that counts.
- Pets count (sort of): Your dog snoozing next to you can weirdly help too.
The point isn’t perfection — it’s friction reduction. If showing up is hard, try showing up with someone else.
Fun tricks to stay on track even when your brain wants to abandon the mission
Body doubling is great, but it doesn’t have to be the only tool in your bag. If you mix simple structure with a little novelty, you can create the perfect storm of semi-functionality.
- Use a timer and race your friend (or yourself — we love main character energy)
- Text a buddy what you “plan” to do, then pretend you’re being watched like a spy movie
- Build a “focus playlist” that triggers work mode, even if that means lo-fi Taylor Swift remixes
Sometimes we need to trick our brains into believing the vibes are right. ADHD is like that.
TikTok focus hacks for busy minds that might actually work
If you type “ADHD focus hack” into TikTok, the algorithm’ll hit you with co-working live streams, people silently folding laundry, and those “It’s time to clean, bestie” videos that kind of feel like someone holding your hand. And you know what? That’s body doubling by another name.
Creators are reclaiming this little brain glitch and turning it into community. It’s less about productivity for productivity’s sake and more about not spiraling when your task list mocks you from the corner of your screen.
For more on why this works so well, Get more done with a Body Double.
Simple ways to stop feeling overwhelmed before the task avalanche hits
Overwhelm hits hard and fast with ADHD — especially when everything feels Important™. Body doubling can nip that in the bud by gently forcing prioritization. If you only have 30 shared minutes with someone else and that time feels sacred-ish? Boom, instant structure.
Pair your double time with tiny steps. Like: “I’m going to open the email — not reply, just open.” Because momentum > motivation when your brain is on standby mode.
Still questioning if it’s ADHD or just living through our collective burnout era? Check out Why Every Teen Feels They Have ADHD for a solid gut check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to talk to my body double, or can we just exist near each other?
A: You can totally just coexist. No talking required unless you want to — the magic is in the shared space, not the chit-chat.
Q: Can you body double with someone virtually?
A: Yep. Video calls, Discord channels, or even co-working YouTube streams totally count.
Q: Is body doubling only for work tasks?
A: Not at all — it works for chores, errands, admin stuff, you name it. I’ve even used it for flossing (not proud, but it worked).
If focusing feels impossible, don’t panic — invite someone into your orbit and see if your brain magically engages. No need to overcomplicate it. Next time you’ve got something to do, try texting a friend: “Wanna sit on Zoom and ignore each other while we Get Stuff Done™?” It’s not weird — it’s strategy. ADHD-style.