Everyone knows the pain of dealing with a long distance relationship, even if it’s only for short amounts of time. But as travel becomes more accessible, there are more long distance relationships than ever before. Between education, work, and countless other opportunities for travel, it only makes sense that you would want to root for your partner, even if it’s from a distance.
Some believe that long distance relationships are destined to fail, but that doesn’t have to be the case. While coping with the strain of a long distance relationship is never easy, that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a loving, fulfilling relationship in spite of the distance between you. If you’re one of the many people engaged in a long distance relationship, here are some of the best tips and tricks to make the distance seem a little less vast.
Lean on technology
Even though long distance relationships have become more common than ever, our technology has evolved at a similar rate. Between texting, instant messaging, and video calling, you have a variety of tools at your disposal. When these options are used in conjunction with one another, the distance between partners doesn’t seem so daunting, especially when you’re able to talk regularly.
Unfortunately, poor cell phone service and data issues might put a damper on your communication. Ensure that you’re able to stay in contact with your partner by investing in a cell phone booster for home use. That way, you never need to worry about a dropped call or missed message. Because technology is your main connection to your loved one, you need to ensure it works properly and effectively.
Set ground rules and boundaries with your partner
Even though you miss your partner, you shouldn’t expect to be in constant contact with one another. While excessive communication can make you feel less lonely, it can also drive emotions of resentment and anger when it becomes possessive. These mismatched expectations can put a strain on a relationship that is already experiencing significant amounts of stress.
The best thing you can do is to talk to your partner at the start of the long distance relationship. Establish communication goals, boundaries, and any other ground rules that you need in order to make a long distance relationship work. For example, setting up times for weekly Skype calls can give both partners something to look forward to. However, engaging in a Skype call every night can be overwhelming and lead to hurt feelings since this expectation is unrealistic.
You should also talk about terms of exclusivity, travel goals, and any other issues that might make a relationship difficult to pursue. Laying these points out at the start will help manage your expectations and prevent communication issues in the future.
Recognize that sadness is normal
Feeling sad because you miss your partner is perfectly natural. While this issue shouldn’t consume your entire life, dealing with sadness and working through anxieties associated with your long distance relationship is unavoidable. Recognizing that you’re experiencing these emotions and working to improve them is one of the best things you can do to achieve higher levels of happiness and satisfaction in your relationship.
Unfortunately, these feelings could be made worse when you’re struggling with a mental illness. Did you know that one in five Americans will be impacted by a mental health issue at some point in their lives? If you’re feeling sad about being away from your partner, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional for advice and coping mechanisms.
Maintaining a long distance relationship is hard work, but these tips can help put things into perspective. Don’t hesitate to lean on your friends, family, and therapist for support during this often stressful time. With effective communication between you and your partner (and more than a little technology), you’ll be able to maintain a long distance relationship with ease.