Walking, social ties, mindful routines and seasonal food are linked with healthy aging, though the research doesn’t prove they guarantee a longer life.
The appeal of “nonnamaxxing”—borrowing habits associated with Italian grandmothers—points to a real question: which everyday routines may support well-being as people age? Research offers reasons to value walking, social connection, caregiving, a positive view of aging and a high-quality diet. It doesn’t show that copying a cultural stereotype will extend anyone’s life, or that any one habit guarantees longevity.
Italy has the European Union’s highest life expectancy, and its population of people aged 100 and older is growing. A cluster of villages in Sardinia is among the world’s five Blue Zones, areas known for the longevity of their residents. Those facts have helped fuel online advice to eat homemade food, take a break from social media, wear cotton nightgowns and linger over meals with friends. Some of those ideas reflect real practices; others are part of an appealing social media image.
Licia Fertz, a 96-year-old grandmother in Viterbo, Italy, describes one everyday habit as a form of self-respect: “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.” Her perspective shifts the focus from chasing youth to maintaining a sense of agency and enjoyment.
A more accepting view of aging
Fertz’s advice is direct: “Never think of yourself as old,” she says. “You are born young.” That outlook doesn’t erase the physical changes and losses that can accompany aging. But how someone thinks about those changes may matter. A study on women’s views of aging found an association between those views and the pace at which they aged; an association can’t establish that mindset caused the difference.
Sonja Lyubomirsky, a psychology professor at the University of California, Riverside, and author of How To Feel Loved, says a person’s outlook can shape how they experience aging. She describes aging as something that can be understood through “wisdom, maturity, and the richness of life,” as well as through “deterioration and loss.” Both can be true, she says, while people still have some choice in which parts of the experience they emphasize.
That framing may be more useful than trying to look younger. The aim isn’t to deny difficulty; it’s to leave room for purpose, pleasure and a changing sense of self. Readers concerned about changes in their physical or mental health can discuss them with a health professional.
Caregiving and everyday movement
Italian grandmothers often play an active role in caring for grandchildren. That unpaid work can place a substantial demand on families, but research also suggests that some kinds of caregiving may be associated with benefits for older adults. In one study, grandparents who helped with childcare—such as driving children to school, helping with homework or caring for sick grandchildren—scored higher on memory and verbal fluency tests than grandparents who did not provide childcare. The finding doesn’t establish that caregiving itself caused better scores.
Fertz lives with her grandson and says time with her great-granddaughter is a daily gift. People who aren’t grandparents may find connection and purpose through helping others in different ways. A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine compared people who volunteered for more than 100 hours a year with those who volunteered none. The more active volunteers had lower mortality risk, greater optimism and a stronger sense of purpose. Those results show a relationship, not proof that volunteering alone accounts for those outcomes.
Walking is another routine built into daily life in many Italian towns and cities. Narrow streets, walkable neighborhoods and the cost of driving can make getting around on foot a practical choice. Daniel Lieberman, a professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University, says many studies link walking with healthier aging. The key distinction is that walking may be woven into errands and social life, rather than treated only as a workout.
Paola Mariotti, a pediatrician and grandmother in Florence, says her own grandparents walked everywhere because they didn’t have a car. She now aims for at least 5,000 steps a day and tries to reach 10,000 or more when she can, using her phone to track her steps. Those figures describe her personal routine, not a target established by the source as necessary for everyone. For people in places where walking is less convenient, a 2025 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that 15 minutes of brisk walking a day was associated with lower risk of premature death.
Slower moments and seasonal food
In the Italian café scene described by the writer, a grandmother may sit with a coffee and watch people pass instead of checking messages or working on a laptop. The phrase dolce far niente means “the sweetness of doing nothing.” The point isn’t that every quiet moment has a measurable health effect; it’s that rest and attention can have a place alongside productivity.
Psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert sees the trend as reflecting younger people’s frustration with pressure to optimize themselves and turn daily life into content. Multitasking can feel efficient, but research has linked it with higher stress. In contrast, a study on being present in the moment found a relationship with aging more resiliently. These findings support making space for focused, unhurried activities, while leaving open how much any single practice affects health over time.
Seasonal eating is another part of the Italian routine. Antonino De Lorenzo, professor emeritus of human nutrition at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, says freshness, ripeness, variety and preparation all influence a food’s nutritional profile. Choosing seasonal produce may also mean choosing food less likely to have preservatives or industrial products, he says. His broader point is that the quality of a diet over time can support physical, mental and cognitive function as people age.
The Mediterranean dietary pattern, with foods such as olive oil, vegetables, fruit, whole grains and legumes, has been linked with longer life. Researchers describe it as a way of eating over time, rather than a short-term diet. That evidence doesn’t mean every person needs to eat identically, and people with health conditions or dietary concerns can ask a doctor or dietitian what fits their needs.
Staying connected
Fertz’s most emphatic advice is about other people: “Don’t isolate yourself,” she says. “Always stay in touch with people, travel, plan outings, and get out of the house.” Her suggestions are broad, and connection can take many forms: family time, friendships, community activities or a hobby shared with others.
Research links a sense of purpose with better preservation of cognitive function in later life. A separate study found that people reporting a stronger sense of purpose had lower risk of depression and loneliness. Neither finding means that being socially active prevents every health problem. But together with research on caregiving and volunteering, they offer a consistent clue: meaningful roles and regular contact may be part of a life that supports well-being as people age.
The useful lesson from nonnamaxxing is less about copying a particular wardrobe or routine and more about noticing the habits behind the image: move through the day, make room for other people, eat well over time and let aging include pleasure as well as change. These are general ideas, not a prescription; the most suitable choices depend on a person’s health, abilities and circumstances.
Related:
- Why Are All the Lonely Girls Going to Paris?
- 5 Ways Your Social Connections Can Boost Your Longevity
- The Surprising Mindset That Influences How Fast You Age
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