undrey/Getty Images
In a mobile and connected world, we have opportunities to meet and learn from people worldwide.
And with these opportunities come more chances of finding love, sometimes thousands of miles away from home.
Long-distance relationships (LDRs)used to be an anomaly, often happening later in an established couple.
undrey/Getty Images
But nowadays, we can fall in love at a distance, too.
What challenges do LDRs have that typical relationships do not?
How can people in an LDR ensure the success of their relationship?
We will explore these questions in this article.
At a Glance
Lost-distance relationships have some unique challenges.
Boundary Negotiation
The boundary negotiation is a trickier element to manage.
Expectations vs. ## Can a Long-Distance Relationship Last?
After these challenges, being happy in long-distance relationships seems almost impossible.
But this is far from being the case.
Studies reveal that people in LDRs have equal or higher levels of satisfaction, strong communication, and intimacy.
What does it depend on, then?
Positive Interactions are Essential
What does this mean?
In other words, what you do in a geographically close relationship also applies to LDRs.
Sharing the details of your life is essential, suggests divorce lawyerLaura Wasser.
“Immerse yourselves in each other’s worlds, even from afar.
However, face-to-face contact was especially important and made a big difference for people in long-distance relationships.
If you want to maintain ahealthylong-distance relationship, save money for traveling and plan on meeting regularly.
It is important to keep your promises and maintain your commitments.
It is not optional or “only when you have time”.
According to therapist and life coachDaniel Rinaldi, MHC, communication is critical.
Regular check-ins can help foster a stronger emotional connection, Rinaldi says.
Face-to-face visits can be helpful if you might swing it.
One app he recommends that is great for creating these emotional connections is Marco Polo.
It allows users to leave messages that can be viewed at the other person’s convenience.
Rinaldi recommends regularly talking about what the future might hold.
Krapf S. Moving in or Breaking Up?
The Role of Distance in the Development of Romantic Relationships.Eur J Popul.
Predictors of positive relationship outcomes in long-distance dating relationships.J Sex Marital Ther.
2015;41(2):181-202. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2013.864367
Aylor BA.
In:Maintaining Relationships through Communication: Relational, Contextual, and Cultural Variations.
New York, London: Routledge; 2014:127-139.
2007;147(6):581-606. doi:10.3200/socp.147.6.581-606.
Dainton M, Aylor B.
A relational uncertainty analysis of jealousy, trust, and maintenance in longdistance versus geographically close relationships.Communication Quarterly.
2001;49(2):172-188. doi:10.1080/01463370109385624.
Guldner GT, Swensen CH.
Time Spent Together and Relationship Quality: Long-Distance Relationships as a Test Case.Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.
1995;12(2):313-320. doi:10.1177/0265407595122010.
