[For seniors] January health topics: A roundup of popular recreational activities from exercises and crafts to New Year’s games
January marks the start of a new year—a season when we all want to refresh both mind and body.
Traditional New Year’s games like hanetsuki (badminton-like paddle game), kendama (cup-and-ball), and snowball fights are actually packed with elements that promote health.
You can try your luck with an omikuji fortune slip, clear your head with a daruma-otoshi game, or get moving with sing-and-exercise routines.
This time, we’re sharing ideas that let you enjoy the festive New Year atmosphere while also stimulating the brain and encouraging physical activity.
Savor the New Year spirit and enjoy moments that leave you feeling energized in both mind and body!
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[For Seniors] January Health Topics: A roundup of popular recreational activities—from exercises and crafts to New Year’s games (11–20)
Ema making
Speaking of New Year’s, the first shrine visit comes to mind, doesn’t it? But with the big crowds and the cold, many older people may find it hard to go outside.
This ema-making activity is something you can enjoy in a warm room.
You can make an ema for someone, or handcraft one yourself—it’s fun either way.
Once your ema is ready, write your resolutions, goals, or things you want to do this year! By writing your resolutions and goals on the ema with a forward-looking mindset, you can feel motivated to live a healthy and enjoyable life from here on out.
Give it a try together and have fun making them!
Snowball fight
Snowball fights are a common pastime in snowy regions.
How about trying one this January? Let’s enjoy an indoor “snowball fight” using paper snowballs made by crumpling white paper.
In senior facilities, it could be fun to make it a team competition, like dodgeball, where players try to hit each other.
For those living in areas with little snowfall, a snowball fight might feel fresh and exciting.
You could also spice it up by arranging a game where players aim their “snowballs” at prizes like snacks, treating them as the enemy—sure to get everyone energized!
poetry karuta
For older adults, talking and singing are very effective for maintaining oral functions! A group recreation everyone can enjoy is “Uta Karuta” (Song Karuta).
Use the song titles as the grabbing cards and the lyrics as the reading cards.
Have facility staff sing the reading cards.
If singing is difficult, playing the music is fine too.
We recommend selecting mainly familiar Showa-era songs.
It’s also wonderful to share memories related to the songs! Please make good use of this for New Year’s activities and events.
Mochi Flipping Game
Speaking of January, we tend to have more opportunities to eat mochi, don’t we? During the New Year, it’s considered lucky to eat round mochi.
They say mochi that stretches long without breaking also carries a wish for longevity.
This time, we’re introducing a game that uses mochi.
You place the mochi on a mesh rack and flip them over.
There are points written on the underside, so let’s all compete to get the highest score! Playing this game will make you crave piping-hot mochi, so it’s likely to whet your appetite, too.
Daruma-otoshi
Speaking of Daruma Otoshi, it’s a classic New Year’s game, isn’t it? Many seniors probably grew up playing it, too.
Let’s knock out the lower blocks one by one without toppling the Daruma sitting on top of the stacked boxes! The key is to strike quickly and decisively with the stick.
It feels great when you can do it smoothly without dropping the Daruma.
If the Daruma stays upright to the end, it feels like the year is going to be a lucky one.
Doing it together while chatting is also good for boosting immunity.
New Year’s Haiku Gathering
Have you ever written a haiku? Haiku is said to be the shortest form of poetry in the world.
It seems deep, but the entry barrier might be surprisingly low.
Even if you’re unsure or not very good, why not try turning your daily life, thoughts, or scenes into haiku? Haiku are expressed in 17 syllables with a 5-7-5 pattern and are said to always include a seasonal word (kigo).
It could be fun to share the same theme with everyone, compose haiku, and present them, and it might also be enjoyable to write the haiku you create on tanzaku slips or shikishi boards.
[For Seniors] January Health Topics: A roundup of popular recreations from exercises and crafts to New Year’s games (21–30)
Making amazake
Did you know you can make amazake using only rice malt (kome-koji)? All you need is rice koji and water.
You can also use a yogurt maker like a Yogurtia or keep a rice cooker on the warm setting.
Since koji mold dies at temperatures above 60°C, be careful with the heat.
Keep it warm at around 55–60°C for 5 to 6 hours, and you’ll have delicious amazake.
It’s rich in vitamins and amino acids, and if you dilute it with hot water, it will warm you up.
It also contains no alcohol, so it’s a highly recommended drink.