Imagine sitting on a plane for hours, staring out the window or at the flight map, with no entertainment, no snacks and no bathroom breaks. Welcome to the world of “rawdogging” flights — a bizarre new trend where travelers forego movies, music, books and even basic bodily needs in the name of mindfulness and resilience. This self-imposed challenge, mostly popular among men, is being heralded as a stoic practice for our overstimulated, tech-saturated times. But is it a necessary antidote for our hyper-connected lives, or just another pointless stunt fueled by social media clout?
While to some extent, detaching from our contemporary world of media can be a much needed brain break for many, more extreme degrees of this challenge — such as denying food or using the bathroom — merely enforce harmful ideas of self-discipline as performance. In pursuit of proving toughness, this trend risks turning a potentially beneficial moment of introspection into a dangerous and performative spectacle, where the line between mindful disconnection and self-inflicted discomfort becomes increasingly blurred.
There is no denying that technology comes with its cons, specifically in terms of mental health. Constant notifications, endless streams of content and the pressure to remain perpetually online can be exhausting. In this context, the idea of using a long-haul flight to detach from screens and engage in quiet reflection has some merit. Moments of stillness and introspection are increasingly rare in our fast-paced world, and intentionally creating space for them — like staring out the window or allowing your mind to wander — can be a healthy way to recharge.
However, the extreme versions of rawdogging flights go far beyond a digital detox. In fact, experts warn it’s more self-destructive than enlightening. Skipping meals, hydration, sleep and entertainment on a long-haul flight does not just challenge your patience; it actively harms your body and mind. Medical and travel professionals have been clear about the risks. Dehydration is exacerbated by the low humidity and pressurized air in airplane cabins, potentially leading to headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Similarly, abstaining from snacks and meals can leave travelers feeling drained or unable to recover properly from the physical strain of flying. And then there’s the issue of jet lag — skipping sleep on a flight often worsens the body’s ability to adjust to time zone changes. Hence, the appeal of this trend does not stem from valid medical advice, but comes from a desire to showcase mental fortitude or masculinity.
The trend has been promoted by stars such as Eric Haaland, a Manchester City football player who gloated “rawdogging” a seven-hour flight with no phone, no food, no water and no sleep, claiming it was “easy.” His post, which showcased the challenge as a badge of mental toughness, was quickly embraced by fans and followers, reinforcing the idea that enduring discomfort could somehow equate to personal strength. Ironically, this lack of dopamine and fundamental human needs was still not enough for many. Some people began to argue that Haaland’s version of rawdogging was too “easy” because of his privileged travel conditions — a spacious business class seat with ample legroom, comfort and privacy. As the culture surrounding rawdogging flights grows, it seems that the extreme is never extreme enough. This drive to constantly one-up each other in terms of discomfort reflects a disturbing trend in society: a belief that toughness is defined by how much deprivation one can endure. The message sent is, if you’re not sacrificing everything — even your basic human needs — then you’re truly not tough.
This phenomenon, particularly when driven by athletes and influencers like Haaland, sends a troubling message to young men. Young followers might begin to internalize the notion that to be a real man, they must be capable of suffering without complaint and that self-care is a weakness. This elevates the idea that self-discipline, even when it comes at the expense of well-being, is not only desirable, but necessary for a man to prove his strength. The idea of rawdogging flights is simply one instance in a greater culture where masculine identity is linked to constant improvement. This includes everything from overly extreme workout regimens to dietary restrictions, all sold with the promise of transformation. But within this framework, there is little room for the softer aspects of being human, such as self-compassion and vulnerability. Therefore, rawdogging flights, like other extreme demonstrations of masculinity, end up reinforcing harmful stereotypes about what it means to be strong. Ultimately, while it may seem like an intriguing challenge for some, the trend fails to offer meaningful benefits and instead promotes an unsustainable view of strength, making it neither good nor worth the cost.
Laila Sayegh, FCRH ’27, is a political science major from Congers, N.Y.
