Experts warn Gen Z’s no-shoes flights for TikTok can cause thrombosis

Most people pass the time on a plane with a book, a film, or a nap. However, TikTok’s latest travel trend is encouraging passengers to sit in silence and stare ahead for hours. This practice, dubbed “raw dogging” by Gen Z, aims to demonstrate mental stamina during flights.

One traveler, @oiwudini, shared his experience on TikTok, stating, “Just rawdogged a 7-hour flight. No headphones, no movie, no water… The power of my mind knows no bounds.” His video received over 14 million views and has sparked a wave of similar videos, mainly featuring male passengers who abstain from in-flight entertainment for hours on end.

Some raw doggers even avoid eating or drinking during their flights. The trend has also caught the attention of celebrities like Manchester City soccer star Erling Haaland and British rapper ArrDee, who have posted videos of themselves intensely staring ahead on long-haul flights without any distractions.

The origins of this trend are unclear, and it’s puzzling why the in-flight map is the only exception to their screen-free time. It seems these passengers are more interested in showcasing their mental resilience than anything else.

There’s no real proof that participants spend the entire duration of their flight in this mindful state. In fact, experts suggest that cheating would be healthier. Dr. Sophie Mort, a mental health expert at Headspace, explains, “In a world with constant demands on our attention, switching off and having a digital detox has its benefits. Not having access to emails or the ability to ‘check in’ means we can engage our minds in other activities and people.”

Mort adds, “When we grant ourselves the space to switch off, it offers an opportunity to focus on what genuinely makes us happy.” She warns that being constantly “on” can lead to stress, burnout, reduced life satisfaction, and even harm to your respiratory system, cardiovascular function, and gastrointestinal health. Therefore, switching off during travel can be beneficial for one’s mental state.

However, moderation is key. Mort notes, “Deciding not to watch a movie on a plane isn’t harmful. But abstaining from food, water, and sleep on a long-haul flight—and then extending these behaviors into daily life—might be.”

Experts are concerned that this trend takes mindfulness to an extreme. They argue this practice is more about gaining social media clout rather than genuinely switching off. Gin Lalli, a psychotherapist specializing in anxiety, stress, and depression, is particularly critical. She says, “I really have no idea why anyone would do it. You’re better off sleeping than raw-dogging.”

Lalli warns that the lack of stimuli, hydration, and nutrition can lead to heightened stress levels, dizziness, negative thought patterns, and anxiety. This could make the journey more distressing and potentially create serious medical emergencies. Eloise Skinner, a psychotherapist and author, adds that extreme lack of stimulation could cause disassociation or disembodiment, where one no longer feels connected with their own body. She emphasizes the importance of movement on flights to prevent risks like deep vein thrombosis.

Skinner also cautions that extreme mindfulness could reawaken past traumas or alter the brain to dull both positive and negative emotions. She suggests a healthier approach: integrating reflection periods with adequate hydration, nutrition, and light entertainment. Lalli echoes this sentiment, stating, “Small manageable steps are always better than extreme practices. It’s more sustainable and will provide better and more positive outcomes.”

Such extreme acts for the sake of online validation can often lead to unintended consequences. Experts agree that while mindfulness has its place, taking it to such extremes isn’t beneficial and could even be harmful.

Source: Fortune