6 Expert Tips to Make Long Distance Relationship Work During Covid-19

As Coronavirus cases continue to surge, social distancing rules remain heavily enforced. Many couples have been separated and are stuck in different cities with the future looking uncertain. It’s quite natural to get anxious in a situation like this. Dr Bhavna Barmi, Delhi-based clinical psychologist says, “The distance may be difficult but you need to remember that it’s not forever. How you deal with the situation will have an impact on your relationship.” She suggests a few tips that you can follow to keep the spark alive in your relationship.

You Need to Trust Each Other

It’s been five months since people have not met each othe “It’s quite natural for trust issues to crop up. Dr Bhavna, cautions against this. She says, “Couples need to trust each other in order to maintain the relationship. It is unwise to be overly “sticky” and possessive.” Do not be too sensitive, frustration and anxiety can easily cause anyone to fly into a temper.

Keep your expectations in check

Understanding is the key to a successful relationship and more than ever. “Both of you need to be clear with what you expect of each other during this long distance relationship,” says Dr Bhavna. Setting your expectations too high will lead to disappointments.   

Spend quality time 

You two don’t really have to communicate 12 hours a day to keep the relationship going. Many couples think that they need to compensate for the distance by doing more. “This is not true. And it might only make things worse,” says Dr Bhavna. Soon you two would get tired of doing it out of compulsion. It’s ok if you spend only 5 minutes in the whole day but do so without any distraction and just talk about the you two.   

Gestures that show love 

Play an online game together. Watch a documentary on YouTube or Vimeo at the same time. Sing to each other on Skype while one of you plays the guitar. “Take a walk together” outside while video-calling each other. Do online shopping and send gifts to each other. 

Try to communicate regularly 

Greet each other “good morning” and “good night” every day — “this is a must,” stresses Dr Bhavna. Update your partner about your life and its happenings so that there’s no scope for misunderstanding.

Stay honest with each other 

Talk about your feelings of fear, insecurity, jealousy, apathy, whatsoever. “If you try to hide anything from your partner, that secret will affect your mental peace. Don’t try to deal with things all by yourself,” says Dr Bhavna. Be open and honest with each other.