How to make a long distance relationship work?

It can be challenging to maintain a friendship or romantic relationship with someone who lives far away. A long-distance relationship can be fulfilling and mutually beneficial with open lines of communication, mutual trust, and a firm commitment from both partners. A long-distance relationship can be successful if you follow these guidelines.

Trust each other.

Maintaining trust in a long-distance relationship is challenging for a variety of reasons. Give your spouse the benefit of the doubt and believe that they still care about the relationship even if you aren’t physically together.

Staying in touch and feeling close to your partner is essential, even if you aren’t physically together. Virtual date evenings can consist of sharing updates about your days, exchanging modest presents, or sending care packages.

Take advantage of the opportunities for in-person interaction that arise, and value the time you have together while it is available. Spend as much time as you can together having fun and making memories before you have to say goodbye again.

Maintain your sense of autonomy and development even while in a long-distance relationship. Don’t stop pursuing your passions and putting in work on your own interests, but also prioritise your relationships with those closest to you. You’ll be content and full, and you’ll have more in common with your significant other.

Stay positive.

Feelings of loneliness and frustration are common in long-distance relationships. Try to keep a positive attitude and recall the many reasons you and your partner fell in love.

In other words, don’t be shy about asking for assistance from someone you care about. If you’re also dealing with the challenges of a long-distance relationship, you might benefit from talking to others in similar situations. If they’ve been through something similar, they may be able to sympathise with you and offer sound advise.

The key is to talk as much as you need to in order to feel close.

For the first time in history, we live in a time when people can stay in constant contact with one another. If you and your long-distance spouse are on the same page, the gift of extra time to communicate can be invaluable.

Some married pairs prefer to remain physically near to one another at all times. Constant conversation might be tedious for some. Discuss how often and for how long you’d like to communicate with one another through text, phone call, or video call on a daily or weekly basis. And as you face new and different obstacles in life, be adaptable in your communication style.

If you can’t physically be there, at least make an effort.

For decades, studies have demonstrated that couples who successfully meet the emotional needs of one another report higher levels of relationship satisfaction. Repeatedly and in tiny ways, people strive to connect with one another through emotional calls. The top relationship health app, Lasting, devotes a whole session to discussing this very idea.

Both of you have a burning curiosity at the centre of every heartfelt conversation:

Asking for encouragement and backing: “Will you back me up?”

When you’re in a long-distance relationship, it can be challenging to know how to respond emotionally to the other person. You are not able to physically be there for each other on special occasions or to share a hug. This crucial element of a healthy partnership is however not to be underestimated.

Instead, it may be necessary for long-distance couples to be more deliberate in their responses to one another while making an effort to stay in touch. Treat your scheduled phone call with your spouse as seriously as you would a business meeting or a doctor’s appointment. Try to check in with your significant other by phone call or text message before the end of a particularly busy day. Incorporating your partner’s requests into your daily routine will demonstrate your commitment to them despite physical distance.

Constantly remind your lover of the good things in your relationship.

Because of the time difference, partners in long-distance relationships sometimes struggle with feelings of uncertainty, insecurity, and jealousy. This is why it’s important to provide each other with lots of vocal reassurances, as recommended by the therapists at Lasting. There will be less room for hurt feelings and you’ll both know exactly where you stand.

The next time you talk, tell your partner how much you love and appreciate them and your relationship. And don’t be shy about asking for reassurance if you need it. It’s just as nice to say the words “I love you” as it is to hear them.

Strengthen your bond by cheering each other on in their pursuits.

As the years go by, you and your relationship will change and grow, with or without one another. That is natural and healthy, and it’s okay if it alters your connection a little.

Long-distance couples who trust each other can support each other’s personal development, according to the therapists at Lasting. They remain in contact and encourage one another to achieve more. It is healthy for both partners to develop and change within a stable attachment relationship. Feeling protected and cared for in the partnership is the source of this feeling.

Studies have shown that marriages where partners are mutually dependant are the healthiest. A definition, please! What this means is that you and your spouse are in sync with each other while maintaining your individual identities. Having to do more things separately than you’d want is likely a side effect of living so far apart. That’s why it’s crucial to discover certain activities you can do separately yet still enjoy together.

Learn how to deal with important issues in person and over the phone.

Every couple, no matter how close or far apart they are physically, benefits from learning healthy communication and problem-solving skills. Small issues can snowball into major ones if you ignore them or are too embarrassed to discuss them.

When a military wife and her far-away husband started dating, this happened. I’ve never felt safe discussing sensitive matters over the phone. But I didn’t want to spoil our visit by getting into an argument with him when I went to see him. It left me feeling like I had no one to confide in about how I really felt. Eventually, I’d snap and end things with him. He had no idea what was wrong, so it was doubly unfair. It takes practise to understand how to broach sensitive topics, but doing so is essential to maintaining a strong long-distance relationship.

The positives of long distance should not be forgotten.

It’s hard to consider separation from the person you love as a positive thing when you’re head over heels for them. However, your mood can be altered immediately regardless of the external circumstances.

One of the users of Lasting shared his story of falling in love with his long-distance partner despite the distance between them. Having a long-distance relationship was wonderful for me. I was able to focus solely on my lover when we were together. Apart from him, I focused on my studies and social life. When I was in law school, this was quite useful.

Long distance relationships have many challenges, but it’s important to look on the bright side. Do you find yourself with extra hours in the day to pursue hobbies, hit the gym, or hang out with loved ones? When the distance starts to feel too much, it can be helpful to remind yourself of the positives of your relationship.

Remember the reasons why you can’t be together.

Your long-distance relationship will undoubtedly face challenging periods. For the one you love, you may even consider irrational measures, such as throwing caution to the wind and giving up work or education.

Even while it may sound passionate, keep in mind that there is a very good reason you are not close to the person you love. You and your significant other may not yet be able to be together in person because of issues related to employment, finances, or family.

Don’t throw away a year or more of effort because you can’t stand the thought of being apart. Relationship strength can be increased in the long run if you follow through on commitments and do a good job.

When the time is right, make a plan for merging your two worlds in the long run.

Whoever who been in a long-distance relationship knows how difficult it is to be apart from the one you love. Date the person you see yourself marrying, and you’ll eventually have to figure out how to merge your respective cultures.

If you’re planning a wedding, engagement, career change, or relocation, it’s important to think about what’s best for both of you and when to do it.

Expecting to spend a lifetime with your loved one can help you get through the toughest times apart. You’d be surprised how much this glimmer of optimism can help bring the one you love closer.

Maintaining a long-distance connection takes effort and dedication, but the payoff is worth it. You can make long-distance work and keep your relationship strong with honest communication, trust, and dedication.