When a health and science journalist relocated to Italy in 2024, one of the immediate cultural observations was the distinct rhythm of life maintained by Italian nonne, or grandmothers. Day after day, they navigate city streets on foot, often completely unassisted, balancing a polished, vibrant sense of personal presentation with an unmasked, unapologetic embrace of their actual age.
It came as both a delight and a minor surprise when this specific lifestyle recently surfaced as a viral wellness trend across social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Dubbed "nonnamaxxing," the internet phenomenon posits that anyone can optimize their life, health, and happiness simply by adopting the daily habits of Italian grandmothers. While internet trends often rely on superficial aesthetics, health experts note that beneath the digital gloss lies genuinely sensible guidance rooted in a culture boasting some of the highest life expectancies in the European Union.
Italy is home to a steadily growing population of centenarians, and a cluster of villages in Sardinia remains designated as one of the world’s elite Blue Zones—regions where people live remarkably long, healthy lives. Online versions of the trend encourage practices such as stepping away from social media, preparing homemade meals from scratch, wearing comfortable cotton nightwear, and enjoying unhurried, social midday lunches.
Yet, interviews with actual Italian grandmothers and medical professionals reveal that the reality of nonna life goes far beyond what looks appealing on a curated social feed. In fact, Licia Fertz, a vibrant 96-year-old Italian nonna residing in Viterbo, Italy, suggests that the philosophy is far more active than mere leisure.
"I put on my makeup and dress in cheerful colors, even if I’m not leaving the house, because presenting yourself well is an act of self-love," Fertz explains.
As researchers and public health specialists examine the intersection of traditional European lifestyles and modern longevity science, Italian grandmothers are increasingly emerging as the accidental health gurus of a stressed generation. Their daily routines offer a profound blueprint for navigating aging, community, and personal well-being.
Embrace Aging
One of the most striking cultural markers in Italy is the near-total absence of the youth-obsessed panic that characterizes much of Western beauty culture. At public swimming pools and coastal beaches, women of all ages—grandmothers included—regularly wear two-piece swimsuits without hesitation. This casual visibility reinforces a broader societal mindset that views aging not as a medical failure or a condition to be corrected, but as a completely natural, neutral phase of human existence.
Fertz emphasizes that this internal framework is fundamental to cultivating a long and healthy life. "Never think of yourself as old," she advises. "You are born young."
This cultural attitude finds strong backing in contemporary scientific research. Recent studies have demonstrated a clear association between how individuals—particularly women—perceive the aging process and the actual biological pace at which their bodies age.
Sonja Lyubomirsky, a distinguished professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and author of How To Feel Loved, explains that maintaining a mindset functions much like putting on a pair of glasses or a tailored coat.
"It certainly matters very much what our mindset is when we think about aging," Lyubomirsky notes. "Is it a gift? Is it about wisdom, maturity, and the richness of life, or is it about deterioration and loss?" While both perspectives can theoretically hold truth, she points out that individuals retain the power to choose their framework.
Lend a Hand
Observer foot traffic outside an Italian school during afternoon pick-up reveals a distinct social fabric: alongside parents, many of the waiting guardians are Italian grandmothers. Intergenerational caregiving is deeply embedded in the social structure of the country, where the unpaid labor of grandmothers plays a vital role in supporting family units and, by extension, the broader national economy.
While sociologists and local parenting circles frequently debate the economic implications of this unpaid labor, gerontological research suggests that staying actively involved in caregiving later in life yields significant health dividends. Active grand parenting—ranging from caring for unwell grandchildren and assisting with homework to driving them to extracurricular activities—has been linked to improved cognitive outcomes. A recent study found that older adults who provided regular childcare scored significantly higher on standardized tests measuring memory and verbal fluency compared to their non-caregiving peers.
"I live with my grandson," Fertz notes, reflecting on her daily routine. "I’m a great-grandmother, and every day spent with my great-granddaughter is a gift that never ceases to amaze me."
For individuals who do not have grandchildren, engaging in community care yields remarkably similar physiological and psychological benefits. Data published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine indicates that individuals who volunteer for more than 100 hours annually experience a reduced risk of mortality, alongside measurable increases in personal optimism and a sense of life purpose.
Walk Daily
The physical layout of Italian urban centers and rural villages naturally encourages physical movement. Because many streets are historically narrow, pedestrian-oriented, and paired with high fuel costs, walking is rarely viewed as a deliberate exercise regimen; rather, it is an inescapable component of daily existence.
"Walking is the most fundamental form of human physical activity, and many, many hundreds of studies confirm that walking helps people age slower and better," explains Daniel Lieberman, a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University. "Walking helps you age well."
Paola Mariotti, a pediatrician and grandmother based in Florence, points out that physical mobility was equally central to the lives of her own grandparents, who navigated the city entirely on foot out of necessity. As a modern professional and grandmother, Mariotti maintains this tradition by utilizing a smartphone pedometer to track a baseline of at least 5,000 steps daily, while striving to reach or exceed 10,000 steps whenever possible.
Although sprawling suburban infrastructure in countries like the United States can present barriers to pedestrian lifestyles, public health research underscores the profound impact of even modest daily movement. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine demonstrated that as little as 15 minutes of brisk walking per day can measurably lower the risk of premature mortality.
Live Mindfully
Visitors observing Italian café culture will frequently notice a nonna sitting quietly with an espresso (un caffè), simply observing the passing pedestrian traffic rather than urgently checking a smartphone or drafting emails on a laptop. This cultural inclination often aligns with the Italian concept of dolce far niente, or the sweetness of doing nothing. Beyond mere relaxation, however, these intentional pauses reflect a broader cultural preference for mindful living, where quality of experience takes precedence over frantic multitasking.
Psychotherapists suggest that the viral popularity of "nonnamaxxing" among younger demographics is less about literal grandmothers and more about a widespread cultural exhaustion with hustle culture.
"The appeal here is the fantasy of a life that feels grounded, warm, and unhurried," explains Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist based in New York. "A lot of younger people are burned out by the pressure to constantly optimize themselves, be productive, and turn their lives into content."
While multitasking frequently masquerades as efficiency, psychological researchers emphasize that juggling multiple demands simultaneously elevates baseline stress hormones. The antidote lies in intentional presence; studies indicate that individuals who regularly anchor themselves in the present moment tend to age with greater psychological resilience.
Eat Seasonally
Dietary habits in Italy remain closely tethered to agricultural cycles and the availability of seasonal produce. Local neighborhood markets routinely provide shoppers with charts identifying precisely which fruits and vegetables are in season during any given month, largely because out-of-season produce is scarce and culturally discouraged.
Antonino De Lorenzo, professor emeritus of human nutrition at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, notes that the primary nutritional value lies not in maintaining an exotic variety of foodstuffs, but in prioritizing seasonal items that require fewer preservatives and industrial interventions.
"Freshness, variety, ripeness, and preparation methods can all exert a significant influence on a food’s nutritional profile," De Lorenzo explains. "A high-quality diet, maintained over time, promotes healthier aging, characterized by better preservation of physical, mental, and cognitive functions, as well as reduced exposure to major chronic diseases."
This pattern forms the foundation of the traditional Mediterranean diet—heavily featuring olive oil, fresh vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and seasonal fruits—which extensive long-term research continues to link directly to extended healthspan and longevity. Public health experts consistently emphasize that the Mediterranean dietary model functions not as a temporary nutritional restriction, but as a holistic, sustainable way of life.
Connect to Your Community
Popular culture often portrays Italian grandmothers as deeply embedded in the social mechanics of their neighborhoods, sometimes characterized affectionately—or humorously—as the neighborhood security system due to their watchful presence from apartment balconies and doorsteps.
Yet, psychological and psychiatric research underscores that maintaining robust social ties is essential for long-term cognitive health. Data published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry indicates that a sustained sense of purpose helps preserve cognitive faculties throughout the aging process. Furthermore, separate studies demonstrate that individuals with a strong sense of community integration and purpose face a significantly reduced risk of clinical depression and chronic loneliness.
Whether that connection stems from staying informed about neighborhood happenings or maintaining active social hobbies, the core imperative is remaining outwardly engaged with the world. As Fertz observes, boredom remains the single force that truly makes a person old.
