Long-distance relationships are never easy. You spend more time with your phone than with your significant other, and the most physical contact you get is the warmth of your laptop during a video call. And let’s not forget the joy of deciphering the tone behind a text message…
Yep, long distance relationships – or LDRs – can be hard.
But all is not lost; according to a 2018 study, 58% of people in a long-term relationships will stay together. If you don’t want to be in the other 42%, however, then here’s our top tips on how to help you save your long distance relationship.
Embrace Communication Technology
The best option if you’re interested in protecting your LDR is to make sure you use all the tech at your fingertips. Using messaging apps like WhatsApp allows you to stay connected throughout the day, sharing updates and small moments. Anything like this is going to make you feel more connected even when your other half might be half a world away.
Social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter will allow you to share your daily experiences and represent another way to feel involved in each other’s lives. And, of course, the more traditional but still digital long and thoughtful emails or digital letters via Google Docs can bring a nice surprise to your partner.
On top of that, apps like Google Calendar can help coordinate time zones, schedule video date nights, or simply keep track (in a non-sinister way) of each other’s schedules.
Don’t forget to take advantage of video calling platforms like Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom to have regular face-to-face conversations with your partner. This can be an intimate way of connecting, as it provides visual interaction, which can help shrink the physical distance. Indeed, seeing each other’s expressions and hearing their voice can help maintain a sense of closeness.
Make The Effort…
Long-distance relationships require extra effort and commitment from both partners, and it’s essential to prioritise communication and set aside dedicated time for each other.
Schedule regular virtual dates or activities that you can enjoy together, such as watching films simultaneously or playing online games. It’s a fun way to bond and create shared experiences, despite the distance.
If you both have access to VR equipment, meeting up in a VR environment can be an immersive experience that brings a whole new level of closeness. By making an effort to spend quality time despite the distance, you can strengthen your bond. And that’s what you’re here for, right?
…& Make Time To Visit Them
You can’t expect a long distance relationship – or any, for that matter! – to survive based purely on online interactions. At the same time, this doesn’t mean you have to spend every weekend travelling to see your partner – i’s just important that you meet as much as is practically possible. Here’s why:
- Physical Presence: No amount of digital communication can substitute the feeling of physical presence. The warmth, the physical interaction, and the ability to share experiences in person are all parts of a relationship that can’t be replaced by technology.
- Strengthen Bond: Meeting face-to-face allows you to spend quality time together and create shared memories. This strengthens your bond and furthers your understanding and connection with each other.
- Communication: While digital communication is important, it can often lead to misunderstandings. In-person meetings allow for clearer and more effective communication as they include body language, tone of voice, and other non-verbal cues that can clear up misunderstandings or miscommunications.
- Trust: Visiting each other shows that you’re invested in the relationship and are willing to make sacrifices to spend time together. This can help foster trust and commitment between partners.
- Experience Daily Life: Visiting allows you to experience your partner’s daily life which can give you a better understanding of their routines, habits, and the context in which they live. This can allow for deeper levels of empathy and comprehension.
- Reduces Loneliness: Being physically separate can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation. Regular visits can help alleviate these feelings and reinforce the relationship’s importance.
- Make Decisions: Traveling to see your partner can be crucial when it comes to making key decisions about the future of your relationship. Being physically present can provide a safer and more empathic environment for such discussions.
While technology has made long-distance relationships more manageable, the importance of physical presence in maintaining and growing a relationship cannot be undervalued.
Read: 7 extra special London date night ideas for autumn
Send Gifts To Show You’re Thinking Of Them
Sending thoughtful gifts or surprises can make your partner feel loved and appreciated, even from afar. Consider sending care packages with items that remind them of your shared experiences or inside jokes.
Sending e-books, online courses, or even ordering a meal for your partner online can be a lovely surprise, too. Be extra thoughtful and research cafes, restaurants, shops and activities near to where they love and see if you can buy a voucher or get something delivered to them. Little gestures show that you are thinking of them, even when you’re physically apart.
Use Snail Mail
In this era of instant messaging, taking the time to write heartfelt letters can be incredibly meaningful. Express your emotions, share your daily experiences, and reminisce about cherished memories via handwritten letters, which can add a personal touch and can be treasured keepsakes. The anticipation of receiving a letter can create excitement and strengthen the emotional connection between you and your partner.
Read: 4 ideal domestic date night ideas this autumn
Keep Things Sexy
As reported by Refinery39, in a study ”66% of respondents said the hardest thing about being in a long-distance relationship was the lack of physical intimacy, and 31% said the lack of sex was the hardest part”.
Maintaining intimacy is crucial in any relationship, including long-distance ones. While physical touch may not be possible, there are ways to keep things sexy and exciting.
Explore phone sex as a way to connect intimately with your partner. Engage in open and honest conversations about your desires and fantasies. Additionally, consider using remote control vibrators or other long-distance sex toys that can be controlled through apps. These innovative devices can help bridge the physical gap and add a new level of excitement to your relationship.
The Bottom Line
Though long distance relationships can be tough, if it’s true love (or even lust!), then they are worth the extra effort you put in. Now, when can we expect our wedding invitation in the post?