11 Sweet Things To Do In A Long-Distance Relationship

There was a time, not so long ago, when entering a long-distance relationship meant signing up for heartache and longing. That’s probably why LDRs have gotten a bad rap. However, today with technology on our fingertips, navigating such relationships is easier than ever before, what with texts, video calls and myriad apps to help couples feel connected. Why not utilize these avenues to the fullest to make your LDR more fun. To that end, we bring you 11 sweet things to do in a long-distance relationship to keep the spark alive.

With expert suggestions from counselor Ruchi Ruuh (Postgraduate Diploma in Counseling Psychology), who specializes in counseling for issues related to dating, infidelity, marital conflict, and divorce, we will give you a detailed look at surviving LDRs and a few romantic ideas long-distance relationships need to thrive.

The Secret To Making A Long-Distance Relationship Work

American spiritual writer Richard Bach once asked, “Can miles truly separate? If you want to be with someone you love, aren’t you already there?” Well, and right so, perhaps, distance doesn’t matter when it comes to true love and affection between two committed souls.

A Reddit user, who has successfully navigated a long-distance relationship, says, “For six months we wrote to each other and spoke on the phone briefly a couple of times a week. Finally, I had saved up enough money to get back to Australia. I went and stayed with her and her five-year-old daughter. We lived together for 6 months but I was on a tourist visa. So I had to go back to America. Spent another 5 months there, sold or gave away all my gear and headed back to Australia. That was 26 years ago. We got married so that I could stay. Against all odds we are still married.”

You see, long-distance relationships don’t always fizzle out due to lack of physical intimacy or regular dates. Ruchi tells us a few secrets to making a long-distance relationship work:

1. Spend quality time together

Are you wondering how to be romantic in a long-distance relationship or how to spice up a long-distance relationship? Ruchi says, “It’s important to prioritize interactions with your SO when you’re in a long-distance relationship. This could mean:

• Engaging in virtual LDR activities
• Sharing your daily routine with them
• Being sexually intimate, albeit virtually (sexts/video calls etc.)

2. Set a timeline

One of the LDR ideas that make them successful is setting a timeframe. You should have a definite timeline of how long you need to be apart from each other. Ruchi says, “You need to have concrete plans, milestones, and a vision of a shared future together that will keep you motivated and committed. You are bound to lose feelings if you lack these milestones.”

Related Reading: Do Long-Distance Relationships Work?

3. Be honest about feelings

Ruchi says, “One needs to make their needs and desires clear. If you need daily conversation in your LDR, say it. If you need intimacy, say it.” A friend of mine, Alex, a software engineer from Connecticut, once told me how she didn’t shy away from telling her long-distance boyfriend that she needed to have phone sex with him often just to keep the zing in the relationship alive. So whatever it is that you need, ask for it.

4. Plan surprises

A study has proven that surprises affect our dopamine levels positively. To infuse fresh energy into a long-distance relationship, plan surprises often. Ruchi says, “This shows you care deeply about your partner. Plus, such surprises prevent a feeling of being undesired or lonely from taking hold.”

Related Reading: Communication In A Long-Distance Relationship

5. Maintain the energy

It’s very important for couples in LDRs to maintain a level of energy that prevents the relationship from sinking into boredom. And in order to do that, Ruchi suggests the following:

• Send them gifts
• Write letters
• Invite them to a session of online gaming

6. Maintain independence

You should have a life and interest outside the relationship. Ruchi suggests, “Reduce dependency on your partner. Unless you’re engaging in a life outside your relationship, you aren’t living a fulfilling life.” Below are some tips:

• Bring in fresh energy from friends or new activities
• Avoid constant nagging
• Maintain healthy boundaries

11 Sweet Things To Do In A Long-Distance Relationship

A 2017 study on long-distance relationships among college students proved that lack of communication affected their lives adversely and also threw off the balance between their university activities and relationship commitments.

Related Reading: 25 Long-Distance Relationship Date Ideas To Keep The Spark Alive

A handful of simple everyday gestures can not only improve relationship satisfaction but also help you navigate other aspects of your life more efficiently. But what are those things to do for your long-distance boyfriend or girlfriend so that they don’t feel insecure or lose interest? Ruchi lists 11 such romantic ideas long-distance relationships need. These will help you in case you’re clueless about how to spice up long-distance relationship:

1. Daily check-ins

One of the 11 sweet things to do in a long-distance relationship is to check on your partner every day. Ruchi says, “I can’t stress enough on the importance of daily check-ins in a relationship where you and your partner are separated by distance.” Communicate with your partner about your day. Tell them if:

• You’ve made friends
• You’re going through stress at work
• You’re too engrossed in setting up your new place

This little bit of sharing your daily activities with your partner will make you feel involved.

2. Focus on seeing each other online every day

One of the many things to do for your long-distance boyfriend or girlfriend is to prioritize seeing each other virtually. Ruchi says, “No matter how many texts or voice notes you send to your partner, seeing your partner’s expression adds intimacy to the relationship, be it just a casual video call or something sexual in nature.” So, make sure you:

• Send them videos of yourself from work
• Send them sweet clips while doing chores at home
• Spare sometime for a video call every day, whether in the morning or at night

Related Reading: Online Flirting – With These 17 Tips You Will Never Go Wrong!

3. Plan virtual dates

Virtual dates are another of those 11 sweet things to do in a long-distance relationship. Ruchi says, “Couples in LDRs should plan virtual dates. Of course, they can’t in any way replace real dates. But they can at least make your partner feel that they are a priority and that in itself goes to cement your relationship in the long run.”

Here are some suggestions on how to go about it:

• Have some wine together on a video call.
• Watch a movie online and share your feedback with each other
• Cook the same meal together while on call

These dates also help address the common conundrum of how to show affection in a long-distance relationship.

4. Take them around your town

One of the best ways to connect in a cute long-distance love is to take your SO around town. So, Ruchi suggests the following ways to connect:

• Get on a video call or send pictures from the grocery store
• Go to a park and start a video call
• Go to an event/concert and call them to let them experience it too

Related Reading: 23 FaceTime Date Ideas To Strengthen Your Bond

5. Send them handwritten cards and letters

This is one of the most romantic things to do for your long-distance boyfriend or girlfriend. Ruchi says, “A lot of thought goes into writing letters and messages on cards and posting them in this digital age, where a single click is enough to connect with someone.” Here are some alternatives:

• You can send them care packages with little things they need (such as a shaving kit or a dress, or something they had been talking about since a long time)
• Another option for people living abroad is sending something from back home, such as a souvenir or some dry food

6. Create shared playlists

One of the 11 sweet things to do in a long-distance relationship is to experience music together. Music is a universal language and may just be the very thing you need to keep the zing alive in your cute long-distance love.

Ruchi says, “There’s no power greater than music that can create a sense of intimacy.” Apart from creating a sense of security, music also helps you convey your innermost thoughts in a subtle manner. This is a great solution if you’re wondering how to spice up long-distance relationships.

7. Go to online museums/events together

The answer to how to be romantic in a long-distance relationship doesn’t always lie in grand gestures. Instead, it’s about exploring newer ways to connect with each other. One such way could be going to museums and events virtually together.

Ruchi says, “While you’re enjoying an online museum tour or a live event virtually, you can pause in between and share your excitement and thoughts with each other.” Such events can include:

• Live music performances
• Virtual magic shows
• Online dance events

Related Reading: 7 Movies a Couple Should Watch Together!

8. Join online classes

This is another great way to bond over a shared activity. Ruchi says, “Signing up for a course online and taking classes together can give LDR couples a sense of shared purpose, making them feel more connected to each other and build long-distance intimacy.”

You can also exchange notes and prepare for exams together. There is a wide selection of courses/classes choose from, such as:

• Zumba/yoga classes
• Any online academic certification course
• Dance, music, or art classes

9. Celebrate milestones together

Wondering how to be romantic in a long-distance relationship or how to show affection in a long-distance relationship? Ruchi says, “Never underestimate the power of milestones.” So, celebrate personal milestones and special days with virtual dates and romantic gestures. These milestones can be:

• Birthdays
• Anniversaries
• Work promotions
• Graduation ceremonies

Sharing a slice of any achievement through virtual dates can be hugely effective in making your cute long-distance love work.

Related Reading: 9 Best Long-Distance Couple Apps To Download NOW!

10. Invest in simple gestures

Technology has empowered us with a multitude of ways to communicate with our SOs, and as a result, there is no dearth of LDR ideas for romance and intimacy. While you need romantic gestures to tug at each other’s heartstrings, they cannot replace the sense of security brought on by simple, consistent rituals like sending each other “good morning” and “good night” texts.

Ruchi advises, “A simple text at the end of a hectic day or right after you wake up can be far more reassuring than anything else. Even if you can’t connect with someone because you’re too tired or are at a social event, you can let the other person know that you think of them and will connect later. This gesture says it all.”

11. Live your life apart from the relationship

You need a positive mindset when things get overwhelming in a long-distance relationship. So, instead of obsessing over why you two don’t get to talk or chat all the time or trying too hard to find LDR ideas to feel connected to your partner, focus on your own life. Ruchi suggests the following to maintain a healthy balance to make a long-distance relationship work:

• Know your boundaries and let them set their own to build long-distance intimacy
• Engage in activities without them, such as a girls’/guys’ night out or a trip with your family
• Not every activity has to have the two of you in it. So, join a gym, go to your favorite restaurant, or hit the club, and do let them know that you have a life apart from the relationship

Final Thoughts

We have given you a detailed view on the romantic ideas long-distance relationships need to grow. Yes, a long-distance couple finds it doubly hard to make a relationship work, as they are starved for physical intimacy and real dates. But making a long-distance relationship work isn’t impossible.

We hope these 11 sweet things to do in a long-distance relationship make you and your partner feel closer and more in sync with one another. We wish you get all the love in your long-distance bond.

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