nonnamaxxing
[ noh-nuh-maks-ing ]
What is nonnamaxxing?
You can skip the green juice, pilates, and cold plunges. What if the secret to a long, enriching life is best embodied by the daily habits of an Italian grandmother?
Meet nonnamaxxing (nonna being Italian for “grandmother”), a wellness trend that some have been embracing as part of an overall maxxing movement, which signifies you’re doing something to the fullest. Cooking from scratch, walking every day, spending time with friends and family, and not fretting over aging are all effective ways to nonnamaxx.
Where does nonnamaxxing come from?
While the exact origin of nonnamaxxing (sometimes spelled nonna-maxxing or nonna maxxing) remains unclear, the trend took off on social media platforms in early 2026 and was reported across media outlets by that spring.
The idea of nonnamaxxing, which is especially popular with Gen Z, centers on maximizing well-being and longevity. Paradoxically, this maxxing trend tends to involve simplifying one’s life. The term’s Italian origins are fitting, as Italy has one of the highest life expectancies in Europe. In fact, the Italian island of Sardinia is one of the world’s so-called Blue Zones, regions that have unusually high numbers of people over 100 years old.
Examples of nonnamaxxing
Nonna-Maxxing 101: Ep 1. 🍝🍷🥖 let me know, what did your grandparents do that you wish we did more of? Follow along for a nonna-maxxed summer with lots of walking, fresh pasta, and the Italian-Nonna approved secrets 🍓making a summer strawberry galette, let me know if you want the recipe! topped with marscapone but vanilla ice cream would be SO good!
Are you nonnamaxxing like your grandparents yet? 👵
Who uses nonnamaxxing?
Individuals, brands, media outlets, and influencers post about nonnamaxxing, typically with accompanying video montages of them emulating the nonna style — drinking wine, kneading dough, and taking long walks in the countryside.
NOTE
This is not meant to be a formal definition of nonnamaxxing like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of nonnamaxxing that will help our users expand their word mastery.
