Experts say slowing down like your nonna might be the best thing for your health

A quiet shift is happening in how people think about wellness. Instead of chasing the next fitness fad or biohack, more are turning to a gentler model: living like their nonna. The trend, dubbed 'nonnamaxxing,' isn't about going viral or looking perfect. It's about simmering sauces for hours, walking to the market with a reusable bag, tending to potted herbs on a windowsill, and saying no to the constant rush.

The term, a playful twist on the internet slang 'maxxing' (short for maximizing), flips the script. Rather than optimizing every minute for productivity or appearance, nonnamaxxing is about savoring the ordinary. Think hand-rolled pasta, slow Sunday phone calls with family, and gardening in house slippers. It's not performative-it's personal.

Health experts are noticing. Several wellness researchers point out that the habits at the heart of nonnamaxxing align closely with proven benefits: home cooking leads to better nutrition, gardening reduces cortisol levels, and routine walks support cardiovascular health. Just as important, the mindset lowers mental strain. There's no scorecard, no app tracking your progress, no pressure to keep up.

"This isn't about achieving some idealized version of slow living," said Dr. Elena Torres, a behavioral health specialist in Bologna. "It's about reclaiming time and attention. When you're focused on kneading dough or pruning tomato plants, your brain gets a break from the noise. That's restorative, not just relaxing."

The trend has quietly spread across social media, with users sharing clips of their nonna-style mornings-chopping vegetables, brewing espresso, folding laundry in sunlight. Unlike other viral wellness movements, there's little emphasis on aesthetics or gear. You don't need a subscription, a course, or even a backyard. A pot of basil on a fire escape counts.

Some see it as a pushback against burnout culture, especially among younger adults who've grown up with constant digital demands. Choosing to cook instead of order, to walk instead of scroll, feels like a small act of resistance. But mostly, people say it just feels good. "I'm not trying to be efficient," said Marco Bellini, a 29-year-old teacher in Milan who started the habit after visiting his grandmother in Sicily. "I'm trying to feel like I'm living, not just getting through the day."

As wellness trends come and go, nonnamaxxing stands out for its simplicity and warmth. It doesn't promise transformation-just presence. And for a lot of people, that's exactly what they've been missing.