In a dream world, our one-and-only would live under the same roof as us, and we’d fall together each night. However, reality and circumstances sometimes force duos to become a long-distance couple. This changes the dynamic of your partnership, and well, it’s not always easy. First and foremost, it’s very hard to replicate an in-person, local relationship with a long-distance relationship, says Dr. Yvonne Thomas, Ph.D., a Los Angeles-based psychologist. “You can’t do things together, from the more mundane activities like running errands to going out for hobbies, activities, events or date nights in person,” she continues. “Plus, physical affection and intimacy are an important component in a love relationship, and the inability to touch, hug or kiss can diminish your bond.”
And though you may communicate with your partner via text messages, Zoom, Skype, video calls and so on, you may still experience feelings of loneliness. This is especially true if you live on opposites sides of the country — or world — and have to calculate time zones daily. It may be an uphill battle, but there are ways to find common ground that strengthens your long-distance love….
To help make communication an everyday ritual, Dr. Thomas suggests blocking your calendars for 30 minutes (or more) where you will only talk to one another. That means no multi-tasking! “It’s best to communicate where you can both see and hear each other, such as on WhatsApp, Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime,” she says. “This way you can connect not just be hearing each other, but by also seeing each other virtually. During these calls, continue getting to know each other and deepening your relationship by asking questions, listening, laughing together, saying loving or flirty things.”
Yvonne Thomas, Ph.D. is a Psychologist who offers relationship therapy in Los Angeles. To read the full article “How To Make A Long-Distance Relationship Work” visit weddingwire.com.