[For Seniors] Get Through the Chilly February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreations
Compared to January, February gradually becomes warmer, but in some regions the cold still lingers, doesn’t it?
In fact, it’s said that infectious diseases like influenza and norovirus peak through February, and the incidence of strokes also increases nationwide up to February.
This time, we’re introducing recreation activities to help you get through the still-chilly season with a smile!
February also includes events like Valentine’s Day and Setsubun, and with a bit of creativity, older adults can enjoy and actively take part.
Be sure to make use of these in day services and senior facilities!
- [For Seniors] Enjoy the Cold Winter! Seated Activities You Can Do
- [For Seniors] February Trivia: Useful Knowledge
- [For seniors] A handmade calendar you’ll want to make in February
- [For Seniors] Recommended Events for February: Fun Ideas to Fill Everyone with Smiles
- Recreation Ideas for Seniors: Perfect for Setsubun and Bean-Throwing Activities
- For Seniors: Fun Activities in February — Celebrate Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Snow
- [For Seniors] Brain Training Recommended for Dementia Prevention
- [For Seniors] Winter Haiku: Introducing Beautiful Masterpieces by Famous Haiku Poets
- [For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
- [For Seniors] Fun February Crafts: Ideas Inspired by Setsubun, Valentine’s Day, and Other Events
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable Brain Training! Recommended Origami for February
- [For Seniors] Recommended February Snack Activities: Easy, Enjoyable Sweet Treat Ideas
- For Seniors: December Health Topics — Winter Recreational Activities to Warm the Body and the Heart
[For Seniors] Get Through Chilly February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreational Activities (1–10)
Indoor walking
By incorporating marching-in-place exercises, you can achieve effects similar to walking even indoors.
Focus on maintaining steady marching for the set duration and moving not only your legs but also your arms to keep your body energized.
Standing provides greater benefits, but if that’s difficult, try doing it while seated in a chair.
Marching alone is solid exercise; adding movements such as stepping forward and backward or swinging your arms will engage your whole body more thoroughly, so that’s highly recommended as well.
Clap Your Hands If You’re Happy Exercise
How about incorporating handclaps and singing into the exercise routine to add a brain-training effect while moving the body? Here, we’ll sing “If You’re Happy and You Know It” and get the body moving with firm actions like clapping and stomping.
The basic structure is a stepping motion that keeps the rhythm of the song, with handclaps inserted to match the lyrics.
If you add movements like tapping your shoulders and knees—not just your hands—you can boost concentration on how to move and also improve overall blood circulation.
Infection prevention exercises
During the cold season the air gets dry and the risk of catching a cold increases.
Here’s an exercise that can help prevent infections by moving not only your body but also your mouth.
Basically, it’s a stretching routine that involves extending the body broadly, and by having you say the counts out loud, it also works the mouth at the same time.
After moving your body, focus on exercises around the mouth—like the lips—to promote smooth pronunciation and saliva production.
Moving your body along with your mouth may also help improve circulation throughout the body.
[For Seniors] Get Through the Cold February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreations (11–20)
Fall prevention exercises
In the cold season, muscles tend to stiffen, and when your body doesn’t move smoothly, the risk of falling increases.
This routine focuses on loosening the entire body—especially the legs—to help prevent falls.
Start with a warm-up that moves the arms and shoulders broadly; this warms the whole body and prepares you to perform the leg exercises with proper posture.
Then progress to full-body movements that incorporate the legs, making sure to work the thighs, calves, and ankles thoroughly.
Combining arm and leg movements also engages your mind, further enhancing the effectiveness—highly recommended.
Snowy Konko Exercises
This activity involves singing the classic winter-themed song “Yuki” while moving your body in a fun way.
By singing and moving at the same time, you can effectively engage in brain training and help loosen the muscles around your mouth.
For the movements, it’s important to express the falling snow in line with the lyrics and to be mindful of moving your arms and legs up and down.
It’s recommended to loosen up your body with warm-up exercises first and maintain proper posture, so you can move smoothly while singing out loud.
Let’s gather love!
This is a game where you sit on a chair inside a ring and use a broom and dustpan to gather balls that are rolling around.
There are three types of balls—colored balls, tennis balls, and ping-pong balls—and once collected, you put each type into its designated basket.
Compete to see how many you can gather within the time limit.
You’ll need to be careful not to put the balls into the wrong baskets, so it’s a game that uses your head, too.
Try treating the balls as symbols of love and play it on Valentine’s Day.
You can easily make the ring by connecting pool noodles.
Gymnastics for a Valentine’s Day kiss while sitting in a chair
“Valentine Kiss,” a song with nationwide recognition that represents Valentine’s Day.
Released in 1986 by Sayuri Kokusho, who is active as a singer and actress, it may evoke nostalgia for some older adults.
This is an exercise done to the melody’s pop tones while moving the upper body from a seated position.
Since it’s arranged at a slower tempo than the original, it can be done with gentle movements, making it recommended for seniors.
Try this health-promoting exercise along with a song that captures the feeling of February.
