How To Maintain A Long Distance Relationship, Part 2

Remember, long distance relationships are about sacrifice and it's going to be hard, so keep reading for more tips on how to maintain long-distance dating.

Because long-distance relationships are about more than delivered flowers and rushed love letters, you're both going to have to work to make the relationship work. Continuing in our series of tips on maintaining a long distance relationship, here are more tips.

Be Willing to Try Other Methods of Intimacy

As wonderful as care packages, emails, and mix CDs can be, we often need more. That drastic lack of physical interaction and intimacy can be a real hurdle for many separated couples.

To overcome this, a lot of long distance couples engage in phone sex, IM sex chat, or webcam sessions as a means of maintaining their sex lives. If you're uncomfortable with the idea, try setting the mood in your own space. For example, if you and your dating partner have set a phone sex date, dim the lights in your room, light a few candles, and actually put on something sexy. This strategy tends to work a lot better than calling while you're in the middle of cooking dinner.

Always Have a Date Planned

As a long distance couple, you should always have a reunion to look forward to. After a visit, set a date for your next visit right away. Even if it's months away, it will give both of you hope and something to look forward to.

That said, you should both have goals for a final settlement together. If you are dating, long distance dating can't be maintained forever, so if neither of you is willing, eventually, to move closer to the other, then maybe it's time to reevaluate your relationship. If you are already married, you really can't expect to maintain a close relationship long term unless you are together.