[For seniors] January health topics: A roundup of popular recreational activities from exercises and crafts to New Year’s games

Sugoroku game

[New Year Recreation] Sugoroku Game! Let’s all enjoy New Year’s activities together! [Elderly Care Recreation]

Starting in the New Year, we’d like to introduce a “Sugoroku game” that seniors can enjoy! It’s a game where everyone designs the squares together and works on activities like exercises and arithmetic while aiming for the goal.

In winter, we tend to stay indoors as our bodies feel the cold, but because Sugoroku is played with multiple people, it can also foster sociability and cooperation.

Plus, by incorporating physical movements into the squares, you’ll warm up your body and improve muscle strength.

Many participants will surely look forward to prizes at the finish line, too.

Be sure to enjoy it together with seniors!

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Kawamura Mina

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Kite-Flying Exercises

Everyone Enjoys Together: 'Kite-Flying Exercises'

Here’s a perfect activity for chilly January days: the “Kite-Flying Exercise.” Many older adults may remember flying kites during the New Year holidays.

This routine incorporates kite-flying movements, such as reeling in the string by moving the hands and arms and marching in place.

All movements can be done while seated, making it easy for older adults to participate.

It may also bring back memories of flying kites in childhood or with your own children or grandchildren.

Reflecting on the past can help stimulate the brain, too.

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Nakajima Junko

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Daruma making

[Elderly Recreation] Easy New Year’s Craft: Daruma Decoration [Making/Handicraft]

Making daruma dolls is a recommended recreational activity for older adults.

By using milk cartons and paper tubes and proceeding step by step, it helps improve concentration while also training fine motor skills.

If you make the daruma with paper clay, the action of firmly rolling it with your hands helps maintain muscle strength.

In addition, gathering around the same table for the activity lets everyone enjoy conversation and feel the New Year’s atmosphere, making it a wonderful opportunity for communication.

When drawing the face, each person’s sense of style shines through, creating a chance to feel attached to one’s own work.

However, don’t forget infection prevention—be mindful of hand hygiene and wearing masks.

We also want to ensure solid support systems so everyone can spend a warm, heartening time without overexertion.

Steamed bread made with pancake mix

[Sweets Made with Pancake Mix!] Fluffy Steamed Egg Bread: Easy Dessert Recipe

Some of you may not know that January 25 is Pancake Day.

“Making steamed bread with pancake mix” is a recreation activity inspired by Pancake Day.

Cooking—choosing tools, planning menus, and more—has many positive effects on brain activation.

Pancake mix has some elasticity, so just mixing it can also serve as an arm exercise.

When you eat what you’ve made, be mindful of the carbohydrates in the pancake mix.

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Kawamura Mina

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Pochi-bukuro calculation

[Dementia Prevention] Small Change Calculation! Brain training problems that strengthen working memory with a dual task of memory and calculation

Speaking of New Year’s, otoshidama (New Year’s gift money) comes to mind.

I think many seniors look forward to giving otoshidama to their relatives and children.

Calculating money has a very positive effect on keeping the brain active.

This time, I’d like to introduce some money calculation problems using pochibukuro (small gift envelopes).

With digital currency becoming more common these days, we probably handle physical money less often, but doing money calculations once in a while feels fresh and nice.

Training your calculation skills also helps boost cognitive function, so it’s highly recommended.

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Nanaka

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Health Quiz

[Health Quiz for Seniors] 10 Questions! Useful and Interesting Health Knowledge [Easy, Multiple Choice]

To help older adults ring in the New Year energetically without succumbing to the cold, we recommend recreational activities that include health quizzes.

Through the quizzes, they can gain knowledge on preventing muscle weakness and lifestyle-related diseases, allowing them to manage their health while having fun.

For example, a question like “What is the recommended daily fluid intake?” can teach the importance of proper hydration.

With thorough infection control measures in place, let’s spend time that warms both body and mind.

By communicating with seniors with a smile, we can support their health maintenance from the start of the New Year.

New Year’s calligraphy on the whole body

Write out your goals for this year! A full-body New Year’s calligraphy exercise. Recommended exercises for January.

Many people probably make kakizome, the first calligraphy of the year, a New Year’s tradition.

It’s said to be good to write the character that represents your goal for the year while facing an auspicious direction.

Writing bold, powerful characters can make you feel energized for the year ahead.

This time, we’re introducing an exercise that lets you do kakizome using your whole body.

You can do it seated, so it’s a safe routine that can be adjusted to your physical and mental condition.

Hold on firmly behind you and enjoy the movement of ‘writing’ the characters using only your hips!

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Nanaka

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