How to Make a Long Distance Relationship Work

Most romantic relationships can be complicated, but long-distance relationships come with an additional set of challenges; the physical distance between two partners is the hardest hurdle to overcome.

Although these relationships may feel discouraging and emotionally draining at times, it doesn’t mean that the bond is doomed to fail! There are things you can do to ensure that your relationship survives the distance, and by putting in the right amount of effort, you can see a change. Read this article for more information!

How to Make a Long Distance Relationship Work

If you want to enter a long-distance relationship, keep in mind that you need to put in additional effort to keep the relationship alive, healthy, and successful to grow closer at a distance.

Don’t worry – you can practice these efforts by learning the intricacies of dating. We’ve compiled a list of useful tips to help you navigate the road to a successful long-distance relationship. Keep reading to get the help you need!

10 Essential Long-Distance Dating Tips

When it comes to long-distance relationships, there are a lot of tried-and-true tips that will help you work through the trials that accompany them. We chose the 10 most useful ones:

➱ Establish Rules of Communication

Communication is key to every successful relationship, but it’s of utmost importance in long-distance relationships. The most common long-distance relationship advice you’ll get is to establish rules of communication.

It’s best to let conversations happen organically, but due to our hectic lives, this can be impossible. Establish ground rules such as how often you’ll talk and through what channel of communication; luckily, technology allows people to schedule calls whenever they want.

➱ Find Something to Look Forward To

Try to always find something that you’re both excited about, whether it’s the next time you video chat or seeing each other in person. With long distance dating, you need to have something you’re both waiting for. Other major moments work just as well, like a yearly vacation, or more long-term plans, like moving closer to getting engaged!

➱ Set a Time Limit on the Distance

Long-distance relationships can’t remain that way forever. You need to have a plan for when you’re finally reunited. Every relationship is unique; depending on your specific situation, set a reasonable date when you’ll move closer to each other. Even if the time is years away, you should always be working on your vision of a shared future.

➱ Establish Trust

Maintaining a long distance relationship is impossible if you don’t trust your partner. It’s easy to lose trust in someone you don’t see regularly, but you can’t allow yourself to become suspicious or paranoid. Remind yourself why you decided to be in a relationship with this person, and don’t lose sight. When you know you love someone, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

➱ Eradicate Judgement

Whenever someone is outside of our physical proximity, our brains tend to make all kinds of assumptions. In most cases, these assumptions are wrong – we’re just making a mountain out of a molehill. Before you assume your partner has done something, make sure that you’re calmly approaching the situation without bias.

➱ Travel Together

One of the best long distance relationship tips is to travel together! This doesn’t apply only to long, costly vacations either. Plan anything from shorter weekend getaways to a one-day trip exploring a new place.

➱ Plan Dates Ahead of Time

Even though you’re far from each other, pay attention to your dates, in-person and virtual. Since physical dates are rare, try to come up with new creative ideas for FaceTime or Zoom. Popular ideas include reading the same book, watching the same TV programme, playing online video games, and even dressing up for a virtual dinner date!

➱ Express Your Feelings

The most crucial long distance relationship advice for couples is to always express how you feel. Don’t hesitate to get emotional and tell your partner what you’re thinking. For example, if you miss them, let them know!

➱ Surprise Your Partner

Lasting love and commitment require effort, so you need to let your long-distance partner know that you’re thinking of them. A good way to do this is to surprise them and send a gift, like an unexpected delivery! Or you can go the old-fashioned way and send them a letter or postcard.

➱ Avoid Uncomfortable Situations

When you love from a distance, some situations you may find yourself in may be uncomfortable for your partner. If you’re aware that going somewhere without telling your partner will bother them, simply don’t let this happen. When you fail to acknowledge things that bother your significant other, they might start thinking you don’t care about them at all.

Long Distance vs ‘Regular’ Relationships: Does Distance Make the Heart Grow Fonder?

Do long distance relationships work? Does distance make a difference in taking someone for granted?

There is factual evidence on love that reveals that there are many examples of lasting long-distance relationships, but is distance really the key to a successful, healthy relationship? Can being apart bring people closer together? Let’s see what statistics indicate.

Long-Distance Couples Experience Higher Levels of Intimacy

Research shows that couples that live apart experience higher levels of intimacy; they’re more connected and committed to each other. Long-distance couples develop stronger, more intimate bonds than couples living close to each other.

People in Long-Distance Relationships Have More Free Time

If you’re thinking about how to make long distance work, the first thing you should do for your relationship to succeed is to work on yourself. Luckily, the distance allows you the time to do so. 

Work on building an individual life so when you connect with your partner, you can share all your experiences. Many people that are close to each other don’t have enough free time to do this, meaning their individual growth may be stifled. 

Long-Distance Couples Are Better Communicators

For people in long-distance relationships, communication is more challenging. When starting a long distance relationship, people have to overcome barriers and learn how to communicate better.

Although the Internet allows for constant communication, long-distance daters need to learn how to utilise their communication skills and make the most of online communication. Long-distance couples tend to contact each other more often, as much as three or four times a day!

Partners in Long-Distance Relationships Quarrel Less

The fewer times people spend together, the less they quarrel. By being far apart, people avoid everyday misunderstandings and mundane arguments. They’re also less likely to start resenting their partner for any annoying habits.

If you want to know how to make a long distance relationship work and how to make the heart grow fonder, remember that you need to have realistic expectations. If you trust your partner, have good communication, and plans for the future are in place, the distance can only help in the long run.

Can Long Distance Relationships Work?

Long-distance relationships are still just relationships – some of them succeed, some of them fail. There are no guarantees as to whether a relationship will stand the test of time and progress to something more, but here are some reasons why long-distance relationships may fail. 

• People don’t realise what a long-distance relationship entails – When people enter a long-distance romance, they might not be aware of all that distance brings with it. 
• Unsuccessful communication – Even though couples talk often, they fail to understand what their partner needs out of the relationship.
• Lack of emotional connection – One of the most common long distance relationship problems is a lack of emotional connection. It’s easy to emotionally detach from someone when they’re not around often.
• Lack of physical intimacy – Intimacy makes a relationship extra special. Without this, romantic feelings may lose intensity. 
• Partners don’t have the same goals – If both partners aren’t looking towards the same future, the relationship isn’t likely to succeed. In such cases, it’s better to end the relationship, even if it’s with someone you love. 

Can long distance work? The answer is 100% yes. If you’re aware of all the hurdles along the road, you can employ strategies to overcome them and have a happy and healthy long-distance relationship. 

Do Long-Distance Relationships Have an Expiration Date?

Long-distance relationships last until the distance is overcome or when someone decides to end the relationship. Some long-distance relationships last for years, but even if you learn how to survive a long distance relationship, problems may arise afterwards. Many people end their relationships once they move closer to each other. 

There is no specific time frame as to how long a long-distance relationship should last; the relationship can continue as long as both partners are comfortable with the way things are progressing. 

The relationship may last only a few weeks, or it can go on for years. As long as both partners are satisfied with the relationship, there are no indications of an expiration date.

The success of a relationship is not measured by how long it lasts, but by the happiness and overall satisfaction of both parties. Many people in long-distance relationships report they’re happier than those living close to each other. If both people are truly committed, they can learn how to maintain a long distance relationship easily.

Conclusion

Long-distance relationships are complex and require more effort than regular relationships, but this doesn’t mean you should give up just because it’s more difficult to maintain. You can have a healthy, committed relationship at a distance. Anyone can learn how to deal with a long distance relationship and come out on the other end victorious. Good luck!