Being separated from your partner for a long time can be a major stressor in a relationship, explains sex and love coach Suzannah Weiss, but there are ways to make sure a long-distance relationship works.,A common point of tension can be the desire for personal physical intimacy, which is simply not possible with your partner. Weiss warns that “it’s vital for people in long-distance relationships to talk about whether they want a monogamous or non-monogamous relationship — and how they define monogamy or non-monogamy. Is it okay to flirt with other people? Dancing with others? cuddle with others? It’s better to be honest that those desires will come up than to shove them under the rug and risk getting behind each other’s backs and hurting each other.”,Weiss also suggests not relying too much on texting and email. “Misunderstandings happen, and disagreements can multiply when people are unable to experience the thorough communication that comes from hearing each other’s voices. If you start getting upset about something about your partner, make a phone call — or, even better, video — as soon as possible to talk about it,” she says.,Communication in general is the altar on which a long-distance relationship lives or dies, notes couples and sex therapist Kyle Zrenchik, PhD, ACS, LMFT. “You can only have so many conversations about work and the weather before a relationship becomes boring. Since the two of you aren’t physically together, each partner really relies on lively and thorough conversations to make you feel like you’re both still in each other’s lives. Make sure you both do this well,” he advises.,
Being separated from your partner for a long time can be a major stressor in a relationship, explains sex and love coach Suzannah Weiss, but there are ways to make sure a long-distance relationship works.
A common point of tension can be the desire for personal physical intimacy, which is simply not possible with your partner. Weiss warns that “it’s vital for people in long-distance relationships to talk about whether they want a monogamous or non-monogamous relationship — and how they define monogamy or non-monogamy. Is it okay to flirt with other people? Dancing with others? cuddle with others? It’s better to be honest that those desires will come up than to shove them under the rug and risk getting behind each other’s backs and hurting each other.”
Weiss also suggests not relying too much on texting and email. “Misunderstandings happen, and disagreements can multiply when people are unable to experience the thorough communication that comes from hearing each other’s voices. If you start getting upset about something about your partner, make a phone call — or, even better, video — as soon as possible to talk about it,” she says.
Communication in general is the altar on which a long-distance relationship lives or dies, notes couples and sex therapist Kyle Zrenchik, PhD, ACS, LMFT. “You can only have so many conversations about work and the weather before a relationship becomes boring. Since the two of you aren’t physically together, each partner really relies on lively and thorough conversations to make you feel like you’re both still in each other’s lives. Make sure you both do this well,” he advises.
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