Have you ever wanted to take on a long-haul flight with no films, music, sleep, or water? No, we haven't either. However, a trend always comes along and throws your expectations away, precisely what the newest social media trend of 'raw-dogging' is.
If you're wondering what raw-dogging means, it's a new trend where passengers travelling on a plane will spend their full-time mid-air simply staring ahead without any distractions, entertainment or even hydration. Unsurprisingly, it's the latest travel trend taking TikTok by storm!
Coined as a challenge to show toughness, athletes such as Erling Haaland have joined in on the trend, and while some claim the challenge strengthens the 'power of the mind'. The reality of this is very different.
The adverse health effects of raw-dogging a flight
1. It can disrupt your circadian rhythm
It would be easy to presume that no screen time and giving yourself time to recharge mentally may help you sleep once you're off your flight, but one of the most significant issues with 'raw-dogging' flights is its impact on your circadian rhythm. Your circadian rhythm is your body's 24-hour clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It's essential for maintaining your sleep patterns, hormone release, and overall well-being.
You throw your body clock into chaos when you deprive yourself of sleep on a long-haul flight by stubbornly staring ahead and avoiding relaxation. This, combined with the already turbulent effects of jet lag on our sleep schedule, can make it hard for your body clock to recover in the days after.
For those of you taking red-eye flights (flights that depart your native country at night and arrive at your destination in the morning), the time zone in your destination can make it impossible to catch up on missed sleep when you finally get to curl up in bed in your hotel, potentially leaving you moody and restless for the duration of your trip.
Furthermore, the blue light emitted by aeroplane screens - whether you're paying attention to them or not - and overhead lighting already puts your circadian rhythm under pressure by tricking your body into staying alert. Add to this, the stress of 'raw-dogging' it - no naps, no distractions, and no mental breaks - could further cause more issues for future sleep.
2. Dehydration can increase the risk of blood clots
Another serious risk of 'raw-dogging' is dehydration, as drinking water is actively avoided in this trend. This can be very dangerous, as airplane cabins are already notorious for their low humidity levels, which can dry out skin, nose, and throat. As such, it's recommended to increase hydration when on planes, as these effects become even more pronounced when you avoid drinking water for hours on end.
Studies have found that long-haul flights pose a genuine threat of dehydration because airline cabins consist of dry, recirculated, and cool air maintained at a lower pressure than sea level. This can put you at risk of deep vein thrombosis, which occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein. The danger of these clots lies in their potential to travel through the bloodstream and block vital arteries, and the symptoms of DVT include swelling, pain, and redness in the affected area. There is also a lot of risk factors that can increase the risk of getting DVT, such as pregnancy, being over 60, varicose veins, obesity, heart or lung disease and much more.
If you're worried about the risk of getting DVT, then we'd recommend talking with your doctor for specialised care. To avoid potentially experiencing these symptoms, you should try to move around regularly on your flight, alongside keeping yourself hydrated. You could also wear compression socks for extra help – we're sure you'll be grateful when you finally get to your destination and can go exploring without pain!
3. It can impact your ability to concentrate
Lastly, the mental toll of "raw-dogging" a flight is nothing to underestimate. Hours of staring blankly at the back of a seat or the flight map might sound like a minimalist challenge, but it's also a form of sensory deprivation that can lead to mental exhaustion. Our brains need stimulation to stay sharp, and when you deny yourself even basic entertainment or distractions, you're likely to feel increasingly irritable, anxious, and mentally drained.
This mental fatigue doesn't just ruin the flight - it can affect your entire trip. You might find yourself more prone to jet lag, struggling to adjust to new time zones, and less able to enjoy the experiences you travelled for in the first place. What is the long-term impact? A weakened ability to concentrate and make decisions, potentially impacting your performance at work or in your personal life after your trip.
In short, while "raw-dogging" flights might be trending on TikTok, it's a trend that can lead to health issues both in the short term and long after your journey ends. Instead of subjecting your body and mind to unnecessary strain, prioritise your health and well-being because no challenge is worth risking your trip, or your health, over.
