[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] Let’s Get Through the Cold February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreations (31–40)
Oni Pants Song Exercise
“Ogre Pants,” known for being featured on NHK’s Minna no Uta and for Seiji Tanaka’s 1975 release, is an arrangement of the Italian song “Funiculì, Funiculà” and enjoys widespread recognition in Japan.
A choreography has been devised to match the Japanese lyrics, allowing you to enjoy a unique upper-body workout through posing.
Trying to sing along while moving your body not only gets you active but can also help stimulate the brain.
Why not try this exercise themed around oni, the iconic character of February?
Ha Hi Fu He Ho Laughing Exercise
In the cold season, it can feel like not only your body but even the muscles in your face are stiff.
This exercise helps relax both your facial and body muscles, and by laughing out loud, it also makes you feel happy.
You’ll form the shapes of the Japanese syllables “Ha, Hi, Fu, He, Ho” with your body, and match each shape with a clear, audible laugh.
To project your voice, pay attention to your posture—this is key.
Let your voice help loosen your whole body, and by layering your voices together, let’s keep both body and mind healthy.
oral exercises
In winter, dryness is just as much a concern as the cold—if you’re not careful, even your mouth can get dry.
These exercises involve moving your mouth thoroughly, which can help prevent that dryness.
The classic mouth exercise is “pa-ta-ka-ra,” but here we’ll also try pronouncing “ra-ta-pa-kka,” focusing on the popping sounds and moving the mouth deliberately.
The key points are tongue movement and how you use your breath, so it’s best to first check how your mouth moves for each syllable before you start.
Alternating between “pa-ta-ka-ra” and “ra-ta-pa-kka” helps you pay even more attention to the movements of your mouth.
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!
[For Seniors] Get Through the Cold February! Recommended Health-Themed Recreations (41–50)
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!
