Forget complicated wellness routines and expensive supplements.
The latest health trend taking over social media looks a lot like your Italian grandmother’s daily life – and experts say it might actually work.
“Nonna-maxxing”, a viral movement circulating widely on TikTok, encourages people to adopt the simple, intentional habits of an Italian grandmother or nonna.
The concept has captured Gen Z’s attention, but its appeal stretches across generations.
At its core, the trend champions cooking from scratch, daily walking, gardening, long family meals, real-world social interaction and reduced screen time.
The habits may sound modest, but research supports their power.
A 2020 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that just 15 minutes of brisk walking daily reduced the risk of premature death.
Cooking from scratch is linked to better nutrition, while shared meals offer both physical and mental health benefits.
Italy consistently ranks among the countries with the highest life expectancy, and the island of Sardinia is recognised as a Blue Zone region – one of a handful of places in the world with notable centenarian populations.
Lifestyle patterns in these regions, including consistent movement, real food and strong social connection, have been the subject of longevity studies for years.
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One of the trend’s most resonant themes is its emphasis on stepping away from screens.
American mental health expert Laurie Singer pointed to the psychological toll of constant digital engagement.
“We know that interacting with others in person, rather than spending time on screens, significantly improves mental health,” she told Fox News Digital, adding that social media often fuels comparison and lowers self-esteem.
Singer also highlighted the value of hands-on activities like gardening, baking, knitting and walking – pursuits that promote focus, presence and reduced anxiety.
“Nonna-maxxing encourages us to be present around a task, like gardening, baking or knitting, or just taking a mindful walk, that delivers something ‘real’,” she said.
The idea is that task engagement, rather than avoidance, builds a sense of purpose and calm – qualities that define the nonna lifestyle.
The trend also challenges how people think about getting older.
University of California (UC) Riverside Distinguished Professor of Psychology Dr Sonja Lyubomirsky has studied how an ageing mindset is linked to real outcomes.
“Is it a gift? Is it about wisdom, maturity and the richness of life, or is it about deterioration and loss?” she said.
“Both can be true. But you can choose.”
That philosophy is embodied by Licia Fertz, an Italian woman whose daily routine includes dressing up, wearing bright clothing and putting on makeup - not for vanity, but as an act of self-love.
”Never think of yourself as old,” she told SELF magazine.
“You are born young.”
What makes nonna-maxxing stand out in the crowded wellness space is its simplicity.
There are no products to buy, no apps to download and no 12-step programmes to follow.
The trend frames traditional living as a modern wellness model, linking longevity to lifestyle consistency, rather than industry complexity.
Movement, real food, social connection and mindset – these are the pillars.
And if Italian grandmothers have been practising them for generations, perhaps the rest of us are just catching up. – By Hanna Wickes/tca/dpa
