Do you know how to Make Long-distance Relationships Last?

Published in

OE Match

2 min readJul 18, 2019

Did you know researchers have studied how your relationship could change if it were long-distance? The study by Laura Stafford, Andy J. Merolla (link below) gives us some insight into a possible way to help make long-distance relationships last. The findings showed that couples in long-distance relationships might be even happier on average than those couples who see each other often. With less opportunity to talk, long-distance couples can often be more loving and stable in their relationships.

Think about how you would treat your partner if you could only talk to them for a few minutes a day. Would you use the time to complain about work or ask them about their day? Would you interrogating them or pass the moments texting “I Love you.” Many couples who live far apart experience their relationship through “rose-colored” glasses, and this may lead to happier relationships. Though the research does offer us one clear warning, and that is that long-distance couples who start living in the same area may face challenges. After having built up an idealized-image of their lover, it can be tough to have to face the reality that we are all humans, and have our issues.

As many of our members start with long-distance relationships, we recommend being open about your life and being accepting of other’s differences when you meet. Don’t expect anyone, no matter how immaculate they seem over the internet to fulfill every desire you have. Most healthy relationships involve give-and-take and offer us a mix of good moments and challenges.

The good news for international couples is that stable relationships can be built over long-distances and the distance may help you get to know each other more carefully before deciding to move for love.