I never thought I’d write these words, but there’s a viral topic of discussion around “raw-dogging” flights. Even the effin’ BBC covered it — and put raw-dogging in the headline — right next to global breaking news.
Because my mom does occasionally read this blog, I’d like to make it clear that there’s no sexual connotation in this use of raw-dogging. And no, I wouldn’t advise trying to make the term conversational in other contexts either.
Anyway, we digress. In this context, raw-dogging is the notion of foregoing all forms of pleasure or entertainment during a flight: no food, no drinks, no in flight entertainment or even music on your earbuds. Nothing — just totally locked in your mindbox, bro.
Raw-Dogging Is Dumb, Meditation Is Not
I often tell close friends that I actually *gasp* miss the days before airlines had wifi, and particularly, reliable wifi. Though I love to keep in touch with my family, I hate the expectation that I can be reached, or that collaborative work should be happening in transit.
There was something very magical about getting on a long haul flight with absolutely no way to communicate with the outside world for the duration. Lost in your own world, ready to tackle a personal backlog, mediocre airline meals, movies you have or haven’t seen, or boxset worth a go.
In this sense, I get the general concept of raw-dogging a flight to be something distantly attractive as a concept. A flight spent deep in thought is super positive. But that’s just sleep or meditation, not raw-dogging, and not documented on social media.
Raw dogging is different.
As an old friend used to say though, “good from far, but far from good” is the verdict. Like many things on the internet, it just takes it that one step too far, and in this instance, two ill-advised medically steps too far.
The dealbreakers? You can’t sleep and you can’t drink anything. The fasting on planes bit is something I do depending on timing of flight and more on that later, but the former two are total dealbreakers. Why, oh why, would you want to arrive in a new country or place sleep deprived when you don’t need to.
And for what? So you can post a stupid f**king video for others? Meditation is for you, sleep is for you. I wish social media platforms had a button you had to click that said “are you like, really really sure you want and need to do this and to share this with other people” before you pushed content live.
The problem with raw-dogging flights is the notion that you should not drink or eat anything — and that includes water. If you want true bro culture approval on the TikTok, that’s apparently the barrier for hearts and that’s a problem for your heart (and body).
Flying is incredibly dehydrating and there are few places below the ozone layer or on terra firma where it’s more important to regularly hydrate. If there’s ever a place to regularly top up the water or hydrating liquid, it’s on an airplane. Eating the right things at the right time on a plane can also be helpful for jet lag.
Yes, for real.
Timing meals to your final destination time, so that you are eating at the same time locals in the relevant time zone would, is a brilliant way to kickstart beating jet lag. Staying hydrated is vitally important for energy levels so that you can get out and get some fresh air and Vitamin D (highly recommended) when you land, to stay awake during local hours.
And on that note… how are you going to stay awake or function if you’ve spent the flight taping your eyelids open, giving yourself a bad version of an enhanced interrogation for kicks?
What you choose to amuse yourself in between sips, be it meditating, reading, listening to music or watching your in-flight entertainment is up to you. If you choose the raw-dogging aka just you and your mind side that’s fine… but not eating, sleeping or drinking…
You’re just raw-dogging yourself, bro.
Just Meditate And Shut Up About It
Meditation on a flight can be amazing. Some use it to calm nerves, others use it to disconnect from the trappings of the world down below and really focus their thoughts and future goals. For a period of time this is a fantastic aim to pursue on a flight. Flights still can be magical in that way and it’s totally up to you how you roll!
You can meditate all you want, you can then mix in a movie, or you can indulge in a little glass of water and want to know the biggest secret on the internet in 2024, for real?
You don’t need to tell anyone about it.
AMEN!!!