Psychologist shares surprising benefits of controversial 'raw dogging' trend despite doctors' worries it could end fatally
'Raw dogging' flights has become the trend of Summer 2024, and now experts are weighing in on its benefits.
If you're chronically online, you've almost certainly heard of 'raw dogging'.
(Not that kind of raw dogging, get your head out of the gutter.)
In 2024 'raw dogging' refers to sitting on a flight and doing absolutely nothing for the duration. When we say nothing, it means nothing. No eating, drinking (even water), and certainly no watching that show you downloaded onto your phone and no reading. Put that book down.
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Even celebs have hopped on the trend, including Manchester City player Erling Haaland who took to Instagram to brag about raw dogging a 7-hour flight, commenting '#easy'.
Since the trend has taken the world by storm this year, experts have begun chiming in with their two cents on the matter.
Just this week a doctor spoke to the BBC warning of the potentially fatal health risks of raw dogging such long flights — branding those who are proponents of the trend as 'idiots'.
The BBC have also spoken to psychologist Danielle Haig on the controversial trend, who had more positive opinions.
Haig said raw dogging flights 'offers an opportunity to recharge mentally, gain new perspectives'.
She suggests that the trend is an indicator of how society is feeling as a whole, signifying 'a collective yearning for balance as people seek to reclaim their mental space and foster a deeper connection with their inner selves'.
The trend seems to be particularly popular amongst young men, and Haig reckons that this is a positive thing, allowing men the chance to tap into their ability to be quietly alone in solitude.
People have been taking to social media all summer to showcase their raw dogging wins, with one TikTok account boasting about raw dogging a 17-hour flight with 'no food, no water, no films, just safety instructions'.
Though people were quick to call him out in the comments for clearly being on a Ryanair flight which does not provide long-haul flights.
Another video posted earlier this week appears to be more sincere, bragging about a 'new rawdog RP' of an 11 hour flight with 'no movie, no headphones, no toilet, just the flight screen'.
While time alone with your own thoughts can be incredibly beneficial to reconnect with yourself, it's probably a good idea to draw the line somewhere, allowing yourself adequate bathroom breaks, water and also making some time of in-flight entertainment, especially on a long flight. It's all about balance.