By Vimukthi Adithya/www.cmnnow.com   Courtesy NewsIn Asia

To promote a healthy lifestyle, Namal Rajapaksa had his first ‘walkntalk’ meeting with the State Minister of Self-employment Shehan Senasinghe on Friday.

Colombo, September 11 : A walking meeting is simply a meeting that takes place during a walk instead of in an office, boardroom or coffee shop where meetings are commonly held. It should be noted that sitting at one place for a long period is potentially as harmful to our health as smoking is. Regularly moving will provide benefits to everyone.

Walking will lower your blood pressure, will reduce inflammation, will help the passage of food through our intestines and will allow a person to be better at problem-solving. Research also proves that walking will increase one’s creativity, the urge to look for new solutions and will help to build resilient brains.

What’s more, in addition to the numerous health benefits the meetings are expected to increase connection with the people when walking where talking side by side cuts through hierarchical and status distinctions and sets people at ease. Walking will enhance relationship building by helping the people involved to socialize more and build the team spirit.

‘Walkntalk’ meetings can help resolve conflicts for pairs and small groups. For larger groups, the walk improves team interactions and helps generate solutions.

Considering all these factors and intending to promote a healthy lifestyle, the country’s Sports and Youth Minister, Namal Rajapaksa decided to introduce a new concept called ‘walkntalk’ to hold meetings while walking.

The first such meeting was held today(11) between Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Hon. Namal Rajapaksa and Hon. Shehan Semasinghe State Minister of Samurdhi, Household Economy, Micro Finance, Self Employment, Business Development and Underutilized State Resources Development. The two ministers had a fruitful discussion on how the two ministries could collaborate to promote entrepreneurship and startup incubation.