New long-haul flight travel trend 'raw-dogging' could be doing more harm than good

It's the bizarre new travel trend that has been creating a buzz on social media, with people all over the world giving it a go while travelling.Rather unfortunately coined "raw-dogging", the viral act involves travellers going without entertainment, food, and even sleep on long-haul flights.Instead, some only permit themselves to watch the flight's travel path, while others don't even do that, seeing how long they can last without doing anything.READ MORE: Top five mountains to visit in Japan, beyond the iconic Mount FujiBut while some have hailed the practice as a form of meditation or "digital detox", a sleep expert tells 9Travel the trend might not be good for everybody."Raw-dogging a flight affects individuals differently – in the same way that sleep deprivation impacts us all differently," Rachel Beard, Sleep Wellness Manager of A.H. Beard's Sleep Wellness Centre, says.The benefits of 'raw-dogging' a flight"Some people may feel refreshed and calm by the journey's end, while others might feel discombobulated and mentally fatigued. Speaking for myself, I know I'd be in the second category."Taking time to disconnect during a flight can offer a valuable mental break, Rachel points out, which could in turn allow travellers to reset and reduce stress."This group will be set up for success when they arrive at their destination, and might even be able to think more clearly, engage better socially. This mental reset from their raw-dogged flight is also likely to help improve their sleep quality too," she tells us.READ MORE: Six ways to beat the winter chill in Tropical North Queensland'Raw-dogging' could be doing harmHowever, for others the practice could do more harm than good."For some, raw-dogging a flight may feel mentally strenuous rather than restorative. This can lead to feelings of grogginess, fatigue, and confusion upon arrival, potentially impacting the entire day and night," she warns."If your brain has been overstimulated or overwhelmed during the day, you're unlikely to achieve a good night's sleep as your brain can't shut off. This will not only mean you wake up the next morning groggy and grumpy, but also physically worse off – not what you want when you're on holiday."READ MORE: The best things to do in Wimbledon that aren't tennisHow does raw-dogging a flight impact jetlag?The trend has been so popular on social media, TikTok users for example are one-upping each other for who has gone the longest stretch with the fewest amenities.A British DJ with the handle oiwudini got 1.3 million likes on a video where he bragged about travelling on a seven-hour flight without headphones, sleep or other creature comforts.If you are someone who usually struggles with jet lag, Rachel warns this trend may make things worse."Raw-dogging a flight theoretically aids in combating jet lag by removing stimuli like screens and meals that hinder sleep. However, for some individuals, this lack of distraction can make falling asleep more challenging, potentially worsening jet lag," she says.She also points out it can make adjusting to a new time zone difficult. And for those who rely on the flight map as a distraction, the excessive screen time is also not ideal."Unlike reading or traditional forms of entertainment, screen usage during long-haul flights exposes travellers to prolonged blue light exposure," Rachel says. "This blue light suppresses melatonin production, the hormone essential for sleep initiation, thereby disrupting the natural sleep-wake cycle."FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest travel news and deals via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.