‘Nonnamaxxing’ trend promotes slow living for better mental health

The key to feeling better in a fast-paced, overstimulated world may be surprisingly simple: Live a little more like your grandparents.

A growing social media trend called “nonnamaxxing” is inspired by the slower, more deliberate rhythms associated with Italian grandmothers.

Lifestyle is often linked to activities such as preparing home-cooked meals, spending time outdoors, and making meaningful connections.

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“Nonnamaxxing is a 2026 trend that embraces the slower, more mindful lifestyle of an Italian grandma (a Nonna). Think cooking from scratch, long family meals, daily walks, gardening, and less screen time,” New Jersey-based registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade told Fox News Digital.

According to California-based psychotherapist Laurie Singer, moving away from screens and into real-world interaction can have measurable benefits.

“We know that interacting with others face-to-face, rather than spending time in front of a screen, significantly improves mental health,” he told Fox News Digital, adding that social media often fuels comparison and reduces self-esteem.

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Living like previous generations is not just due to nostalgia. For example, cooking meals from scratch has been linked to better nutrition and more mindful eating habits.

Adopting traditional mealtime habits, especially when meals are regularly shared with others, can improve diet quality and support both physical and mental health, Palinski-Wade noted.

One longevity expert emphasizes that staying healthy isn’t just about food, it’s also about joy and community. (iStock)

There is also a psychological benefit to slowing down and focusing on one task at a time. Singer noted that anxiety often stems from incomplete or avoided tasks, and participating in hands-on activities can prevent this.

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“Nonnamaxxing encourages us to be around a task like gardening, cooking, or knitting that offers something ‘real’ like going for a mindful walk,” she said.

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Palinski-Wade points out that the traditional “nonna” lifestyle often requires a different pace of life, and warns against turning this trend into another source of pressure.

The important thing, he said, is to adapt the mindset, not copy it perfectly.

Derived from the name of an Italian grandmother, Nonnamaxxing is a trend that embodies centuries-old lifestyle habits. (iStock)

The goal is to reintroduce small, intentional moments that will make you feel better.

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This might mean prioritizing a few shared meals each week, going for a walk without your phone, or making time for a simple hobby, the expert suggested.

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Singer added: “Having a positive place to escape to through activities that speak to us and make us happy is a human, not a generational, situation.”