5 Tips To Maintain Healthy Long Distance Relationship

The first lesson that we all probably learnt about friendship is the famous saying, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” It’s not that hard to be there for someone when you can physically be there, when your body is just a short drive or a subway ride away from theirs. When you’re separated by more than that — whether it’s a state or a time zone or even an ocean — the equation changes, even if the label doesn’t. Moving away from a close friend doesn’t mean you stop being close; it just means you have to figure out a new way to do it.

Here are a few ways in which you can keep you resistant friendship strong.

* Accept that it is going to take more effort than it used to

Even if you vow to talk every day, your friendship will inevitably change when spontaneous brunches—or spontaneous anything, for that matter—are out of question. You should be able to accept the challenges and adapt your behaviours accordingly. No matter how many long-distance hacks you come up with, there’s no replacement for in-person interaction and it will take much more effort than it used to, you should be ready for it. Remind yourself that you are never too busy to drop a text.

* Treat it like a long-distance romance

Because long-distance friendship is so common, we tend to downplay how hard it can be — not just logistically hard or financially hard, but emotionally hard, too. There are tonnes of advice available online on how to maintain a long-distance relationship and it wouldn’t hurt to use the same on your friendship as well. To begin with, rather than having to worry about when you’ll have your next conversation, set a time aside dedicated for just this and treat it like it were sacred.

* Find ways to create new shared experiences

Technology has proved to be a boon for our generation and in more ways than one. We have got social media and video calling applications and long-distance friends must make the most of this. The best way to do this is to use these portals and applications to create new shared experiences. Pictures can say what words cannot; Share the memories that made your day, or just the day that you have been having. Can’t hit the same gym or meet up for a brunch? Facetime or Skype your bud as you do it and it will be just like being there with each other, physically. It can even be as little a thing as sipping a coffee together on a lazy weekend morning.

* Plan an annual meet-up

Apps and unlimited data plans have made it easier than ever to stay in constant contact, but there’s no substitute for seeing a loved one in the flesh. Plan an annual meet-up to spend some real time together. It’s important to make the time to see each other as often as your schedules (and wallets) allow. Whether you’re jet-setting to a fitness retreat or simply visiting each other’s homes, creating new memories together will help your friendship continue to develop.

* Remember there is no right way of doing it

The distance between you doesn’t define your friendship, and there’s no single way to maintain your closeness. Some friendships thrive with very little nurturing; others take more work.Keeping apprised of each other’s lives and being honest with each other about what’s working in the friendship and what isn’t is the key to keeping your bond strong, no matter how far away you are.