[For Seniors] Simple Recreational Activities You Can Enjoy While Seated
Even for older adults who find it difficult to move their bodies vigorously, they may find it easier to join in if the recreation can be enjoyed while seated.
In fact, there are plenty of games with simple rules that can really liven things up.
From activities using familiar materials to ones that include brain-training elements, we’ll introduce games that, with a bit of creativity, can bring smiles to everyone.
Using your hands and engaging your mind not only makes the activities fun, but also contributes to better health.
Doing them together with others fosters communication and can give life added meaning.
Please enjoy a fun time with easy, seated games.
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Balance and core training (1–10)
Core strengthening: Exercises and stretches for older adults
Here are upper-body exercises you can do while seated that help strengthen your core.
Standing exercises can cause unsteadiness, falls, or even fractures, so please try these seated exercises instead.
The key points to watch out for are explained in detail, so follow along with the video as you do them.
If you prefer a slower pace, reducing the playback speed is a good option.
Also, even if two exercises look similar, whether you’re moving in a closing direction or an opening direction changes their purpose, so please pay attention to that.
Simple core training you can do while sitting
Just by having a stable core, you can reduce unnecessary strain on your body, but it’s scary if you fall during training, right? To avoid that risk, let’s try core exercises you can do while seated.
There are 10 exercises introduced with easy-to-remember names like the Pigeon Exercise, Haniwa Training, and Inchworm Exercise.
They’re all movements you don’t normally do, so it’s great for engaging muscles you haven’t been using.
Even just following along with the video and doing a full run-through makes a difference.
If you’re someone who sits in the same position watching TV for long periods, definitely give these a try.
Core training you can do slowly while seated
Here are core-strengthening exercises that are also effective for Parkinson’s disease.
When you have Parkinson’s, you’re more prone to falls and balance problems, but strengthening the core is said to help prevent these issues.
The core exercises introduced here are basic and can be done easily while seated, so try making them part of your daily routine—and once you get used to them, it’s a good idea to do them several times a day.
It’s easy to feel reluctant to move your body, but please try to keep up with exercises like these.
Posture-correcting ball exercises
Here’s a recommended idea for those concerned about a hunched back or body sway: “Posture-Aligning Ball Exercises.” First, place a ball between your knees and slowly tilt your pelvis forward and backward.
Engaging your inner thighs and abdominal muscles helps stabilize the pelvis, naturally lengthening your spine and improving posture.
Next, sit shallowly on a chair with your feet flat on the floor, and move the ball up and down with your feet; this stimulates the core and muscles around the hips, enhancing balance.
Furthermore, if you keep the ball between your legs and alternately lift your legs, it helps strengthen the abdominal and thigh muscles.
All movements are slow and low-impact, and with consistency, you can expect improvements in posture.
Balance training
As we get older, our core tends to weaken, which makes us more likely to trip or fall even over small steps.
If a fall leads to a fracture, there’s a risk of becoming bedridden, so it’s important to keep training the core regularly.
Here, we introduce exercises you can do while seated in a chair, allowing you to train your core safely and easily.
Even simply lifting one leg or both legs while sitting can strengthen your core.
Please use this as a reference.
Balance training with a plastic bottle
This is an easy balance training exercise using plastic bottles filled with water.
Hold a bottle in each hand, raise them to shoulder height, then twist your torso left and right from the waist, or push the bottles forward from in front of your chest to stretch your core without putting too much strain on your body.
A key point of this method is that you can adjust the amount of water to match your physical condition.
Also set the arm-raising angles within a comfortable range for you, and move your body broadly to the extent that it feels good to move.
Core Rhythm Gymnastics
This is a core rhythm exercise that lets you move your body to the beat! Sit on a chair, extend one leg, lift your toes, and get ready.
In that position, alternately touch your shin with your right and left hands to stretch your hamstrings and calves! Sit with your feet shoulder-width apart, and do a crossing motion—touch your left shin with your right hand and your right shin with your left hand—to work your abs and back muscles.
To make it fun like dancing, count out loud “1, 2” or move to music, and keep it rhythmic.