Sophie Foster, Deputy Travel Editor, Mail Online
Updated: July 7, 2024 16:12, July 7, 2024 16:23
A “rawdogging” flight is when you spend an airplane journey without any outside entertainment, immersed in your own thoughts.
A video of a passenger filming himself doing just that has recently gone viral.
TikTok user @westwashere bragged about enduring seven- to nine-hour flights “just by looking at the map and the speed we’re flying,” while Dalton Law (@deathroe90) claimed he doesn’t eat anything when he eats raw hot dogs.
He captioned the video, “Just traveled on a live plane from Orlando to LA. No water, no snacks, no music or entertainment. Seats fully upright. Mental strength knows no bounds.”
Sound like a nightmare? Psychologists reveal that this habit actually has a ton of benefits, from stimulating creativity to reducing anxiety.
Dr Sandy Mann, a senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Central Lancashire, is an expert in the science of boredom, happiness and emotions. She spoke to MailOnline about the benefits of ‘low dog’ flights, explaining: “The new craze of ‘low dog’ flights may seem like a humorous and slightly strange trend, but these flights actually have mental health benefits.”
“Spending time away from your phone and other stimuli allows your mind to wander freely, which can lead to new ideas and creativity.”
“When there’s nothing to do or distractions, the level of stimulation decreases.
“The feeling of being understimulated, or as they say, boredom, is unpleasant and something we try to avoid. When we are forced to sit in this state, our minds start to turn inward.”
The benefits of low irritation
The lecturer continues: “Our brains can provide the neural stimulation they are missing from the external environment. Networks and connections fire, the jump from idea to image to thought, becomes less conscious. We stop controlling where our brain is going. This allows us to see things in new ways and sparks new ideas.”
“I once did an experiment at the University of Central Lancashire where we took people off the street and put them in a room with no music, no phones, no visuals or stimuli.
“At first, participants were uncomfortable with the experience and itched to do something, but then they relaxed and felt at peace.”
“Taking time to let your brain wander allows you to daydream. These two processes are catalysts for creativity. This time can lead to more creative ideas and different approaches to solving problems. It also gives you some much-needed downtime from the stresses of everyday life.”
Make the most of your flight
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Sandy explains that plane travel is a good time to try out low-stimulation scenarios.
She says: “Planes offer a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and let yourself daydream. Putting your phone on airplane mode means you don’t have to jump through messages and notifications, giving you a good excuse to step away from the screen and focus on your thoughts.”
“Sitting on a plane and doing nothing can be difficult at first, but you’ll eventually learn to relax. It takes some patience, but it’s very beneficial.”
The psychology doctor added: “Instead of just waiting for the next flight, I recommend setting aside regular time to let your mind wander.”
“When things are slow and quiet, it makes you want to experiment more and try new ideas that you might not normally think of, which leads to more creativity. Hopefully this trend will inspire more people to give it a try.”
Reduces stress and anxiety
Dr Daniel Glaser, a clinical psychologist with a particular interest in trauma, adds: “Intentionally engaging in mindfulness practice by being aware of the present moment without distractions has been clinically proven to reduce levels of stress and anxiety.”
He told MailOnline that raw dogs are “like an impromptu meditation session”.
He continues, “This is definitely not for everyone, as being locked inside your own head for hours on end is some people’s worst nightmare, but this forced introspection may give us the opportunity to address the thoughts, feelings and self-awareness that our minds avoid or suppress when we’re inundated with distractions.”
“Thus, detachment from input, although it may be uncomfortable, may provide certain psychological benefits similar to mindfulness practice.”
Dr Sandy Mann, Senior Psychology Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, said: The Science of Boredom (Little, Brown).
Dr Daniel Glaser is the co-founder of several health technology platforms including UK Therapy Rooms, the fastest growing directory of rentable treatment rooms, wellness spaces and therapist offices.
