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Long Distance Relationships
The phrase “long distance relationship” is enough to strike fear in many hearts. The mere mention of those words causes everyone within hearing distance to relate the story of their horrible experience, or that of someone they know, with long-distance relationships. The reality, however, is long-distance relationships are not necessarily any more or less doomed to failure than any other relationship.
What Are The Odds?
With advances in technology, like the internet and instant messaging, long-distance relationships have become more common in our society. As a result, there are numerous professional studies conducted on long-distance relationships each year. The following are some of the statistics these studies have uncovered:
- Nearly 75% of engaged couples have been in a long-distance relationship.
- Nearly 25% of engaged couples are a long-distance couple.
- The rate of break-ups for long-distance relationships is 40%, the same as that of couples who live near each other.
- There are approximately 7 million long-distance couples in the United States.
- There are 2.5to 3 million long-distance marriages in the United States.
What Does That Mean?
Long-distance relationships are relatively common, and they are no more likely to fail than relationships between people who live and work near each other. While this does not mean that every long-distance relationship will lead to a happily-ever-after, it does mean that those in long-distance relationships need not fear the outcome.
The following techniques can help couples in long-distance relationships keep the relationship together:
- Relax. Keep in mind that, regardless of what other people tell you, long-distance relationships can work. They can also be as healthy and emotionally satisfying as any other relationship. Being in a long-distance relationship is not a reason to be upset, worried or embarrassed.
- Socialize. One of the biggest problems with long-distance relationships is a feeling of loneliness. If allowed to grow, that loneliness can lead to affairs and/or an end to the relationship. Socializing with friends, however, can offset the feelings of loneliness and make it easier to deal with the stress of separation in the relationship.
- Transitional objects. A transitional object is simply something that makes the separation easier and offers comfort. It may be a letter, picture, stuffed animal, or any other object that brings up pleasant memories of the person who is not there. Adding a touch of that person’s favorite cologne or perfume or having a brief recording of that person’s voice can also help ease the loneliness when you are apart.
- Share. Couples who live near each other would not hesitate to tell each other about their day at work or their trip to the grocery store, yet long-distance couples often feel that information is too trivial to share. While communicating about emotions, thoughts, and beliefs is critical for any relationship, those seemingly trivial topics are what create a sense of being involved in each other’s lives despite the distance that separates you. That sense of involvement is also crucial to maintaining a relationship, regardless of the distance
Long-distance relationships are not always easy, but they do not have to be more difficult than any other relationship. Despite popular opinion, long-distance relationships can be healthy, loving and long lasting. Of course, like any relationship, both people must make an effort to make a long-distance relationship work.
Learn more about creating successful long distance relationships >>>
