For all of the long-distance relationships out there: worried you’re going to grow apart from your significant other and desperately looking for a way to keep the flame in your relationship? I got you. Thanks to a recent study conducted by the City University of Hong Kong and Cornell University, success is not just a myth anymore. As it turns out, distance really does make the heart grow fonder. The study focuses mainly on couples under 21 in long-term relationships that either lived near each other or face the distance. “The long-distance couples try harder than geographically close couples in communicating affection and intimacy, and their efforts do pay back,” said co-author Crystal Jiang.
So there you have it, collegiettes; all the work you put in to staying connected to your significant other does pay off. Looking for ideas on how to do that? Keep reading.
1. Keep the conversation fun. Don’t get caught up in complaining about how much you miss each other and keep yourself from using your time talking to him as your personal soapbox. Of course your boyfriend wants to hear about your day and of course you should want to share that with him, but don’t spend all your time talking about the negatives. Keep the conversation light and fun. It’s always nice to tell your boyfriend you miss them, but if that’s all you talk about, it’s going to get old really fast. The less you say it the more it will mean every time you do.
2. Never Argue Via Text. This is big for all relationships, but even more so in a LDR. Having a fight while not being able to see each other causes one big problem: they can’t read your body language. Things can sometimes come off as sarcastic or snippy when they aren’t meant to be, and apologies never sound as sincere when you’re reading them off your phone. Make a phone call or plan a Skype session if things get heated.
3. The element of surprise. Whether you’re planning a surprise visit or sending a box of goodies to his mailbox, surprises always remind him how committed you are. Just make sure you’re not interrupting his plans and catch him at a good time. If you want to send a special delivery, cut out little hearts from pieces of paper so when he opens the package, your handmade confetti falls out as a surprise in itself.
4. Long-Distance Dates . Plan time at least once a week to Skype with your boyfriend. Want to change things up? Watch a movie or TV show at the same time so you can talk about it while you’re watching it!
LDRs might be a challenge, but the social stigma that they’re worse than a “normal” relationship is far from the truth. Follow these tips to keep your relationship on the right track.
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