A relationship qualifies as long-distance when partners or spouses are at least two hours away for extended periods of time. In the US alone, 14 million couples were in a long-distance relationship in 2024, and over half (58%) were in one at some point in their lives. Three-fourths of engaged couples were in some form of long-distance relationship before getting married.
Table of Contents
Make Communication A Priority
Communication has to be a priority, no matter the circumstances. The more you know about what the other is doing when you’re apart, the likelier it is for your mind to be at ease. The frequency of communication depends on your personality. Messaging every couple of days and speaking on the phone once a week is enough for some couples, while daily phone calls are standard for others.
On average, couples in LDRs spend about eight hours a week on video chats or phone calls. They send around 340 text messages weekly, making sure they’re in constant contact throughout the day. Almost 90% of couples text daily, and many use platforms like Zoom once a week or more often.
Learn To Cope With Jealousy
While unpleasant, feelings of jealousy are inevitable. What isn’t inevitable is letting those feelings take control of your life and strain the relationship. Your partner is bound to meet other people and have a great time. You might see a post on social media of them with an attractive person by their side, looking like they’re really enjoying themselves. Your mind starts racing, coming up with various scenarios about their supposed relationship. It’s important not to let it get out of control. Can you tell if your wife is cheating? Maybe it’s not impossible, but it’s definitely very difficult, and it’s easy to misinterpret innocent behavior as signs of infidelity. You don’t own your partner; they are entitled to have a good time without obsessing over what the other will think. People should love but not try to possess each other.
Give Each Other Unconditional Support
When they travel a lot, but you’re stuck at home, you might lapse into resentment. It’s easy to feel that way because you’re left in boring everyday life, stuck doing chores and taking care of children alone, if applicable. Likewise, the person traveling can feel resentful because they may be tired of traveling, can’t sleep in their own bed, miss the kids, work more than you, etc.
Providing unconditional support means realizing both ways of life have downsides. Traveling comes with delayed flights, early wake-up calls, jet lag, etc. You should recognize what they are doing for you as a family or couple, and they should empathize with you for being “stuck” taking care of the household while they are away.
Create Travel Rituals
Travel rituals like airport runs can help manage stress. An example is dropping them off and picking them up at the airport. This gives you time to talk before being separated, and you’re the first person they see when they get home. Travel rituals cushion feelings of loneliness. It also helps to create a schedule to keep busy and not focus on the separation when they’re away. Make plans with friends and for work, arrange work coffees, and attend work events you’re invited to. Go for walks, to the beach, or to dinner with friends, and try to work out as often as possible. Extraverts will benefit from filling their schedule with things to get out of the house and socialize, while introverts could work on hobbies or projects as a form of “me time” to keep busy.
