[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 the Cold February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreations (21–30)
Mount Fuji Calisthenics
Let’s move our bodies to the lyrics of “Fuji no Yama,” a song themed around Mount Fuji, the mountain that symbolizes Japan.
Speaking of Mount Fuji, its sheer size is a striking feature, so it’s important to keep that in mind and make big, expansive movements.
However, suddenly moving too vigorously can lead to injury, so be sure to take your time with a thorough warm-up until you can perform the movements properly.
The song has a relaxed tempo, so it’s also a great idea to keep the rhythm with your movements and sing along as you go.
Ehomaki Rolling Game
The Ehomaki Rolling Game is a wonderful recreation for older adults that not only activates finger movements but also lifts the spirits.
Use a black non-slip mat to represent seaweed, a white ventilation fan filter to represent rice, and recreate the fillings with colored paper and rolled paper.
Remembering the order of the fillings also serves as brain training, allowing seniors to enjoy the activity while engaging their minds.
After finishing, face the year’s lucky direction and cheer, “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” to have fun and warm up the body.
Incorporating traditional, well-loved customs into recreation feels familiar to older adults and is sure to create a time full of smiles!
Setsubun Quiz
A Setsubun quiz is a wonderful way to spark intellectual curiosity and provide an enjoyable time for older adults.
From simple questions like “When is Setsubun?” to slightly more challenging ones such as “Why do we throw beans on Setsubun?”, quizzes about this beloved tradition—cherished across generations—stimulate participants’ memories and imagination.
In addition, topics related to ehomaki offer a chance to enjoy food culture, warming both heart and body.
Let’s use Setsubun quizzes to energize communication and spend a joyful, smile-filled time together.
Bean-Throwing Exercise
February is the season for Setsubun, isn’t it? Let me introduce a seated “bean-throwing exercise” perfect for this time of year.
You move along to the children’s song “Mame-maki.” Since it imitates real bean throwing—with big arm lifts and swings—it provides a good workout for the upper body.
It also sounds fun to mimic an ogre’s expressions or try wearing a mask.
In actual bean throwing, there’s a risk that older adults might accidentally swallow the beans, so caution is needed.
But with the music-based “bean-throwing exercise,” you can do it safely!
Postman Delivery Exercises
The “〒” symbol that you only ever see on mail began to be used on February 8, 1887, by the Ministry of Communications, later the Ministry of Posts.
In connection with February 8, the day of the 〒 mark, here’s an exercise inspired by the motions of delivering letters.
It’s structured so that the full body performs movements that are usually done with the hands—like extending a hand to post a letter—stretching the arms and legs in sequence while feeling the rhythm.
By incorporating actions like returning a stretched part to its original position or extending parts simultaneously, it also helps improve concentration on what to move next.
Demons out, fortune in. Bean-throwing brain training.
Setsubun is a representative February event, and the bean-throwing ritual to drive away demons really gives a sense of the season.
Here is a simple chair-based exercise inspired by the motions of bean-throwing so you can fully feel Setsubun.
For “Oni wa soto” (Demons out), make a demon pose by raising your hands over your head with index fingers up, then perform a bean-throwing motion.
For “Fuku wa uchi” (Good fortune in), make a good-luck pose by placing circles on your cheeks, then perform a motion as if embracing with both hands.
Do these in time with the caller’s words.
Encourage participants to focus on which movement to do and to be mindful of their movement quality and timing.
A Slightly Punny Setsubun Quiz
Serious, brain-teasing quizzes are fun, but here’s a lighthearted “slightly punny Setsubun quiz” you can enjoy with your guard down.
By weaving in wordplay related to Setsubun, ogres (oni), and beans, it naturally creates moments that make people chuckle.
Rather than focusing on right or wrong, the main reactions are “Ah, I see” and “That’s funny,” which lowers the barrier to participation and makes people think, “Maybe I’ll give it a try.” Laughter eases tension and encourages more conversation with others.
The content isn’t too difficult, so it’s perfect for opening a recreational activity or for a quick change of pace, and it will brighten up and enliven any Setsubun event.
