The viral trend of enduring long-haul flights without phones, screens or other distractions has recently caught the world’s attention. But what if we stayed disconnected, even when we got off the plane?
It’s all about mind power – or so they say. The viral ‘raw-dogging’ trend on long-haul flights, where passengers stare straight ahead without any in-flight entertainment, books, music or screens, and avoid eating, drinking or sleeping during the trip, caught the world’s attention this summer.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland posted a video of himself on a seven-hour flight, boasting “no phone, no sleep, no water, no food”. He wasn’t the only celebrity to join the trend, as Australian music producer Torren Foot and actor and musician Jared Leto also shared their own 15- and 17-hour raw hunting experiences, respectively.
The truth about our dependence on technology
While it may be easy to dismiss “raw persecution” as foolish or even nihilistic, It certainly says something about our dependence on technology: We depend so much on external stimuli that staying a few hours without being disturbed is now considered a “challenge”.
However, research shows that focusing on the present and mindfulness can have a positive effect on health and well-being, such as reducing anxiety, depression, and blood pressure while improving sleep.
OR excessive use of smartphones, on the other hand, it can be harmful to our physical and mental health and affects everything from our sleeping habits to the health of our musculoskeletal system.
This should be your cue to turn off the device and sit up straighter.
Is there a “dark side”?
As with any viral challenge, there is a dark side to the raw chase. Health professionals warn that in extreme caseswhere participants avoid drinking water, moving around or even using the bathroom on long-haul flights, this trend is so dangerous that it can even kill.
If one of the main purposes of traveling is to seek out new experiences and escape the daily routine, why are we so attached to the same devices and screens we use at home? It can be refreshing to turn off your phone during a flight. Perhaps this spiritual cleansing, without apps and notifications, allows for a deeper connection to a new environment and the discovery of how people have traveled throughout history.
The Spanish city of Palma, Mallorca, may not seem like the obvious place for a “spiritual retreat.” Its reputation as a sunny paradise, where many tourists do little more than tan, party and drink cocktails, is one of the many reasons residents have recently responded to the hypertourism movement. As the city becomes increasingly overrun with parties and people taking selfies, locals are now fighting to get it back. Turning off your cell phone can be a way to listen to these people, their recommendations and explore every aspect of the city.
Source: BBC