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[For Seniors] August Health Tips: How to Enjoy and Stay Comfortable During the Hot Summer
August, when the heat is at its peak, leaves many people feeling a bit worn out.
All the more reason to try some fun, healthy ways to spend the summer, right? In this article, we’re sharing health-related activities recommended for August.
We’ve prepared a wide variety: classic exercises and recreation, plus summer-themed quizzes, crafts, and snack activities.
There are plenty of ideas for group fun, like nagashi-somen (flowing somen noodles) and watermelon smashing—both summer staples! Reminiscing about summer festivals or days at the beach is sure to get everyone talking.
It’s also a great chance to chat and connect with people you don’t usually interact with.
We hope you find it helpful!
[For Seniors] August Health Topics: Tips (1–10) for Enjoying a Hot Summer Comfortably and Safely
Dancing Hero – Bon Odori VersionNEW!
A single by Yoko Oginome released in 1985, it regained popularity thanks to the “Bubble Dance” by the Osaka Prefectural Tondabayashi High School dance club! It’s a song well known not only to that generation but also to younger people.
While it falls under the umbrella of dance music, it also began to be used as a Bon Odori song from the late 1990s.
The distinctive choreography—circling your hands in front of your body while swaying your hips and lifting your knees—is really fun.
If your Bon Odori activity isn’t quite catching on, why not suggest this song?
Gomangoku OdoriNEW!
In Aichi Prefecture, everyone around Okazaki City knows the “Gomangoku Odori,” which is based on the folk song “Okazaki Gomangoku.” At the Okazaki Tourism Summer Festival held in August, the “Gomangoku Mikoshi” and “Gomangoku Odori” are enjoyed together.
The distinctive chant “Yoikono Sanse,” from the kiyari-bushi style, is guaranteed to liven up any Bon dance.
The choreography is appealing too, with lots of clapping and the use of uchiwa fans.
Since it’s uptempo, it might be a bit tough until you learn the song, but it’s a fun and somehow addictive number.
There’s always tomorrowNEW!
Do the Bon Odori to the song “Ashita ga Aru Sa,” a tune everyone’s heard at least once! Known for lyrics that capture a male student’s feelings of first love, this song often brings back memories of youth for many listeners.
Let’s try the Bon Odori—an essential of summer festivals—with this nostalgic number.
The choreography is very simple: cross your hands in front of your body, clap in front of your face, and so on.
There are steps for the walking parts, so if you can dance standing up, try copying those footwork moves too.
Snack activity: shaved ice
Summer festivals are fun events, but because they get very crowded, older adults may be hesitant to attend.
So why not try making shaved ice for a snack activity at your facility or during dessert time at home? Home-use shaved ice machines are relatively affordable, and you can enjoy the classic summer treat by starting from shaving the ice yourself.
Prepare a few different syrups and pour them however you like.
Adding fruit or sweetened condensed milk can make for a more luxurious shaved ice.
Beat the summer heat: chair exercises
When it’s hot, we tend to go outside less, but let’s keep our bodies moving moderately to prevent summer fatigue and maintain our health.
Here, we’ll introduce simple exercises you can do while seated.
After loosening up by rolling your shoulders and twisting your upper body, add in marching in place and lifting your knees to touch your hands.
Finally, move your body while vocalizing to also strengthen the muscles around your mouth.
Do these within a comfortable range in a cool indoor environment, and be sure to stay well hydrated.
Bon Odori exercises done while seated
When you go to summer festivals, you often see people enjoying bon odori, the traditional festival dance.
Many older adults have probably danced it at least once, too.
So this time, we’re introducing a bon odori exercise you can use for summer festival activities at care facilities.
It can be done seated, making it a great option for those who find standing difficult.
For the upper body, raise both hands above your head and clap along; for the lower body, extend your heels forward and march your feet in place.
The moves are all simple, so try dancing along to your favorite bon odori song.
Handmade watermelon-splitting
How about enjoying the classic summer event, “watermelon splitting,” with a homemade watermelon? You can easily make it using an instant noodle cup container, construction paper, and vinyl tape.
First, cover the opening where the lid used to be with red construction paper and secure it with tape.
Next, wrap the sides and the bottom with green vinyl tape.
Apply thin black vinyl tape in radial lines on the sides and bottom to create the watermelon pattern.
Draw black seeds on the red paper, and it’s done.
Lightly tape two halves together, then have fun “splitting” it by hitting it with something like a plastic wrap tube.