Marcella La Cioppa Rawdogging is a practice that has become popular thanks to viral videos online on TikTok. “Seven hours of flying just looking at maps”: this was the comment of a TikTok user (@westwashere) whose video has accumulated over 2 million views. But let's find out what it is and what the benefits are.
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While some people sleep, look out the window, listen to music, read, or chat with fellow passengers during a flight, there’s a growing trend of passengers sitting in silence, only glancing at the flight information screen. This phenomenon, known as “rawdogging“, involves spending time on a flight—whether short or long—without any form of external entertainment.
The practice of rawdogging
Passengers practicing rawdogging remain seated without distractions, focusing only on the screen in front of them, which typically displays flight data such as maps, weather conditions, and speed.
Some individuals have taken rawdogging to an extreme, practicing it for up to nine hours and turning it into a social media challenge by avoiding even basic activities like eating or using the restroom. These are the more radical extremes of the phenomenon. However, a more moderate version of rawdogging may not be as unusual as it seems, as confirmed by psychologists interviewed by the Daily Mail.
What Is rawdogging and Its benefits?
One TikTok user, @westwashere, shared their experience of spending seven hours looking only at flight maps, a video that garnered over 2 million views. This sparked a wave of imitators trying out rawdogging themselves. While it may seem unusual, psychologists suggest there could be benefits. The practice encourages creativity and reduces anxiety by allowing passengers to stay on the plane without distractions like music, podcasts, or conversations.
Dr. Sandi Mann, a psychology professor at the University of Central Lancashire, explains that taking time away from external stimuli allows the mind to wander, fostering the birth of new ideas and creativity.
Being understimulated or bored can be uncomfortable, and we often try to avoid it. However, forcing ourselves to stay inactive can lead our minds to explore inner thoughts. In our fast-paced lives, we rarely give ourselves time to be alone without electronic devices connecting us to the outside world in real time.
The power of mind-wandering
In essence, taking time to let the mind wander allows for daydreaming and unlocking creativity that might otherwise remain untapped.
As Dr. Mann notes,
a flight is an ideal moment for a much-needed break from daily chaos. Putting your phone in airplane mode removes the pressure to respond to messages and notifications, providing an opportunity to set aside screens and focus on your thoughts. Though it may initially seem difficult to sit without doing anything, over time, it becomes relaxing. Patience is key, but it can be highly beneficial.
Applying Rawdogging Beyond Flights
While the airplane setting offers a unique opportunity for this practice, it can also be applied in daily life with positive outcomes. Regularly carving out time to let your mind wander can lead to greater creativity and new ideas.
