Can Teaming Up Actually Calm You Down?

Can working as a team have benefits beyond moral support?

Researchers at Santa Clara and Stanford Universities have found that exercising with a partner enhances a workout’s stress-reducing effects – benefiting body and mind.  What they discovered was that when working with a partner, people generally felt calmer then if they worked solo.  They also concluded that whether they chatted or not through their regimen, the dialogue did not have an adverse effect on their results, and that the feelings of calmness usually lasted well into the evening hours.

In the Professional Organizing world – there is a similar parallel which we refer to as the “Body-Double.”  The purpose of the Body- Double is to act like an anchor, not an active assistant in the process of organizing.  The concept is to help the other person stay focused and ignore distractions, simply by being present.

Often, this practice provides emotional support, as clients will feel that having a Body-Double gives them permission to finish what needs to be done,  thus calming their feelings of overwhelm and reducing their urge to walk away.  It is a highly effective strategy that leaves the persona feeling empowered and satisfied.