This form of relationship breaks up after six months, with findings showing that about 40% of long-distance relationships end within this period, like many other relationships that involve couples who live in close proximity to each other. This implies this assertion: distance does not hold the key to the longevity of the relationship. Nonetheless, just like any relationship we share with any individual can lead to certain concerns associated with it. Similarly, long-distance relationships have their own limitations.
According to studies, distance could time and again be an important variable in declaring the nature of romantic relationships. Looking at the previous year’s research, the authors paid the focus to the differences of risk exposure of couples in long-distance relationships and short-distance relationships.
Challenges in Long-Distance Relationships
- Reduced intimacy: People in such relationships may be lucky to have limited chances of intimacy, intimate touch, or even limited chance of shared physical presence. This often means less sexual and physical contact than couples in nearer proximity do. Reduced closeness may cause stress on a relationship for several reasons; for instance, partners can fear whether their partner is seeking some sexual contact in their proximity.
- Higher cost: Intercultural relationship partners who reside further apart are believed to spend more on the upkeep of the relationship. Anyone dating his/her partner in such a relationship will most probably wish to travel to his/her or her location at a certain frequency. Locally, it may involve buying gasoline, car repair or maintenance, and taking food for the road trip. If one partner lives in another country, then it can involve booking flight tickets, expenses for accommodations, food, and taking leaves from work.
- More stress: It could cause both parties to experience elevated stress levels; a fate that is evident in long-distance relationships. It may vary in causes such as traveling stress, stress from loneliness, stress caused by separation from the young, and stress from sexual frustration. This can also mean that keeping a healthy distance from the other person may be the only way to minimize conflict, therefore increasing the stress inherent in an argument. Partners could try to overcome this lack of communication through phone, new messenger services, or video conferencing; however, misunderstandings were still possible.
However, they may also have several advantages because people who are in long-distance relationships have more chances to idealize their partner and because time between meetings could be valued more. They could, in some way, define the level of the reward in the satisfaction of the relationship needs, which is very vital in the sustenance of the partnership between the partners involved. In conclusion, scholars established that distance poses important implications for both benefits and costs of relationships and thus may incline relationships to termination. If you do not want the long distance to break you apart, it may be useful to know how to make your relationship work.
How to Make a Long-Distance Relationship Work
That is why various strategies can be useful when the partners are distant, which may refer to the following points:
- As much as possible, make sure that you are all speaking the same language.
Communication is often one of the biggest challenges in any kind of relationship, regardless of the distance. With proper communication effectiveness and clarity, a long-distance relationship is likely to cause less stress and hence high relationship satisfaction. This may entail identifying what communication channels give the best outcome for both the client and the consultant. This might involve using the phone, sending text messages, face-to-face video calls, mail, or email. - Set reasonable expectations.
Spouses who hope that, without regular interaction, they can make everything okay are mistaken. Thus, it is essential to set expectations to be aware of what is necessary to remain satisfied. For example, it can include where and how often people in the relationship will call, who is likely to visit each other, and how to ensure that certain issues are being discussed. Those potential boundaries include having specific guidelines to ensure that several people are not pining over who will be expected to visit the other partner at any particular time.
Know what love language is best suited to your partner.
It may be easier to meet the needs of a partner that is long-distance if you know the main love language they prefer. The five love languages are loving acts, gift-giving, verbal praises, physical touching, and spending time together. Ask your partner in a relationship how or what method of expressing love works for you.
Guiding Tips on How to Handle a Long-Distance Relationship
As with any couple, the Asperger’s husband and wife are unique, and one type of intervention they may consider is couples therapy. There is nothing wrong with having your relationship checked for potential problematic areas or lack of coping strategies, as well as teaching couples some imperative skills regarding communication and conflict resolution to improve an existing relationship.
But, often, two people from a couple may live far from each other and cannot attend the session in the clinic. Unfortunately, in such circumstances, these methods may not work, and other means may be required, like online counseling or therapy.
A study has shown that computer-mediated interventions can be a technique for couples’ therapy in lieu of live therapy. A quantitative analysis of face-to-face and telecommunication-based couple counselling was conducted by researchers in 2021. As such, they discovered that it was possible for online therapy to achieve positive outcomes and client satisfaction as it provided similar outcomes as face-to-face couples counseling. Secondly, both therapy forms, in most cases, helped decrease the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress.
Takeaway
That is why long-distance relationships have several disadvantages, which might refer to the following aspects:
1. Less appealing to the physical aspect of the relationship.
2. More expensive.
3. A tendency to cause more stress.
It may, therefore, benefit these parties to experiment with different approaches for deepening these relationships. Some of these approaches may include active and consistent communication, setting realistic expectations, and understanding your partner’s love dialect. If you find yourself unable to manage being in a long-distance relationship, it may be a good idea to see a couples therapist who can offer both in-person and online sessions.
As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
