What Is "Nonnamaxxing"? The Italian Grandma Trend Taking Over Your Home and Your Health

The internet's latest self-improvement trend doesn't involve a single app, supplement, or subscription. It just asks you to live a little more like a nonna.

If you've been on social media lately, you've probably come across the word "nonnamaxxing," the trend inspired by the slow, simple life of Italian grandmothers, a.k.a. nonne. But it's not just about how your kitchen looks. It's also about how you actually live.

Nonnamaxxing traces its roots to Italy, which ls the leading European country when it comes to life expectancy. A cluster of villages in Sardinia is even one of the world's five Blue Zones.

So what are Italian grandmothers actually doing right? According to health journalist Nicole Karlis, who lives in Italy, Italian grandmothers walk everywhere, stay active in their communities, and rarely try to hide their age, habits that contribute to their long life.

For 96-year-old Licia Fertz, a big part of her longevity comes down to mindset. "Never think of yourself as old," she told Self magazine. "You are born young."

Experts agree. Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky says the way people view aging can actually affect how fast they age.

The trend has also made its way into the home. Interior designers Elizabeth Bennett and Mallory Robins describe nonnamaxxing interiors as "collected over time." This means vintage fabrics, hand-painted dishes, and warm colors like olive, sage, and tomato.

Whether you're fixing your home or rethinking your habits, nonnamaxxing is really about slowing down, staying connected, and keeping things simple, the nonna way.