Intimacy Issues in a Long-Distance Relationship

If you’re in a long-distance relationship, you know that intimacy issues are part of your relationship.

Intimacy issues in a long-distance relationship are quite common. There are two kinds of intimacy: emotional intimacy and physical intimacy. The main intimacy issues in a long-distance relationship include lack of physical intimacy, no intimacy, and fear of intimacy, among others.

Intimacy issues include:

• Fear of intimacy
• Losing intimacy
• No intimacy
• No physical intimacy
• A lack of physical intimacy
• Sexual frustration
• A lack of emotional intimacy

Let’s explore each of these issues in a little more detail and see what you can do to fix them.

Fear of Intimacy in a Long-Distance Relationship 

Intimacy is the connection that you feel with your long-distance partner. Some people are afraid of having this connection for fear of losing it. Ironically, it’s the fear of losing this connection that gets in the way of a person having this connection, to begin with.

People can be afraid of intimacy because of their previous experiences. When you’re in a long-distance relationship, both you and your long-distance partner have a personal history.

Nobody comes into a relationship completely clear open and honest. Previous experiences affect your behaviour, your thoughts, and your beliefs.

There’s one thing you can do while in a long-distance relationship. You can talk about intimacy issues with your long-distance partner. If you recognise that you are afraid of intimacy, you should talk to your partner about it.

The only way you can sort out your intimacy issues is by facing them.

Losing Intimacy in a Long-Distance Relationship

Some couples try to maintain their long-distance relationship for years.

Some people don’t have a strong sex drive and don’t need to be physically close to their partner. For such people being away from their long-distance partner may not be such a big issue.

However, if you are okay, not having a physical connection with your romantic partner, there might be underlying issues.

When you don’t have physical intimacy in a long-distance relationship, you rely on emotional intimacy to help you feel connected to your long-distance partner.

So when you start losing emotional intimacy, that’s the start of the end of your long-distance relationship.

No Intimacy in a Long-Distance Relationship 

When you don’t have physical intimacy in a long-distance relationship, you rely on emotional intimacy to help you feel connected to your long-distance partner.

Suppose you don’t take time to learn effective communication, or you are not completely honest with your long-distance partner. In that case, your long-distance relationship won’t work.

For example, you may have been in a long-distance relationship for a few months, and you feel deprived of physical intimacy. Your options are to suppress the need for physical intimacy and pretend that you are okay with it or find a way to work it out with your long-distance partner. 

Suppose the absence of physical intimacy is bothering you. In that case, you should talk about it with your partner before it becomes an issue.

No Physical Intimacy in a Long-Distance Relationship

If you feel you are not having physical intimacy, the solution can be having more frequent visits. On the other hand, if you lack emotional intimacy, it can indicate that your feelings have changed or perhaps you have developed feelings for another person. 

Either way, you should talk to your long-distance partner about your feelings, and together you can find a way forward that works for both of you.

It’s not always the case that you don’t have the means to see each other as often as you want while in the long-distance relationship. But you should be careful not to neglect your need for physical intimacy. 

If you cannot find a way to be together and you’re getting very frustrated, then having a break from this relationship may be a solution, at least for now.

Maybe, later on, you will get back together, or perhaps you will move on.

Lack of Intimacy in a Long-Distance Relationship

Due to the very nature of long-distance relationships, lack of physical intimacy is what makes them hard.

That’s the reason long-distance relationships aren’t meant to last a long time. You can hold off for a few months without having sex with the person you are romantically involved with.

Some couples try to maintain their long-distance relationship for years. In some cases, a person doesn’t have a strong sex drive and doesn’t need to be physically close to their partner. For such people being away from their long-distance partner may not be such a big issue.

However, if you are okay not to have a physical connection with your romantic partner, it may be an indication of underlying issues.

Suppose you don’t take time to learn effective communication or are not completely honest with your long-distance partner. In that case, a long-distance relationship won’t work.

For example, you may have been in a long-distance relationship for a few months, and you feel deprived of physical intimacy. Your options are to suppress the need for physical intimacy and pretend that you are okay with it or find a way to work it out with your long-distance partner.

Suppose the absence of physical intimacy is bothering you. In that case, you should talk about it with your partner before it becomes an issue.

A long-distance relationship that is missing intimacy isn’t worth having. Either find a way to build intimacy or breakup and move on.

Lack of Physical Intimacy in a Long-Distance Relationship

Lack of physical intimacy makes it hard to make your long-distance relationship work.

In a long-distance relationship, the hardest thing is to be away from your partner. Most of the time, it’s because of circumstances rather than out of choice. 

It’s challenging to maintain your relationship without physical affection. You don’t get the comfort of physical touch, a kiss or a hug. 

Physical closeness helps you feel safe, calm, and content. Without it, it’s hard to judge the state of your relationship. The distance can strain your relationship, making it hard to remain emotionally connected. In this situation, you may feel helpless. 

It may seem that all you can do is wait. You need to decide if you want to suck it up and stick it out or make your long-distance relationship work. Here is an article that goes in a lot more detail.

How to Make Your Long-Distance Relationship Work

Physical intimacy is an issue because you can only be physically close when you visit each other. Many couples go for weeks without seeing each other. Having a romantic relationship where you cannot be physically intimate with your partner isn’t healthy.

When you do not have enough physical intimacy in your long-distance relationship, the solution can be more frequent visits. If it’s emotional intimacy that you’re lacking, maybe your feelings have changed, or perhaps you have developed feelings for another person.

Either way, you should talk to your long-distance partner about your feelings, and together find a way forward that works for both of you.

It’s not always the case that you have the means to see each other as often as you want while in the long-distance relationship. But it doesn’t mean that you should neglect your need for physical intimacy.

If you cannot find a way to be together and you’re getting very frustrated, then having a break from this relationship may be a solution, at least for now.

Maybe, later on, you will get back together, or perhaps you will move on.

Sexual Frustration from a Lack of Physical Intimacy

A lack of sexual intimacy is one of the main reasons why long-distance relationships don’t work.

One way to deal with sexual frustration is to agree to see other people by having an open long-distance relationship. However, this idea isn’t for everyone and if there is a risk of falling for someone else.

When you’re apart from your long-distance partner, you can spice up your relationship with sexting, interactive sex toys and virtual sex. But none of these things replaces physical closeness with someone you love. One thing you can do is to visit each other regularly.

If you have the means to see each other often, long-distance relationships are not as tricky. However, many couples are not in a position to do so.

One thing to consider when it comes to sexual life in a long-distance relationship is how much you and your partner need sex. Usually, one partner needs it more than the other. 

If you need sex more frequently than your partner, it would be harder for you to manage without it. In this case, you should share your feelings with your partner and allow them to help you arrange more frequent visits or move in sooner.

Note that a long-distance relationship is not a complete romantic relationship. It’s a phase in your relationship that allows you to get to know each other better. You can make the most out of your long-distance relationship by fixing the problems you may encounter along the way. Click here to see most common problems long-distance couples face.

Common Problems in a Long-Distance Relationship

To make your long-distance relationship work sexually, you need to know:

• How long will the long-distance last?
• How often do you need to see each other for sexual satisfaction?
• How will you satisfy your sexual needs while apart?
• What do you want to achieve during the long-distance period of your relationship?
• How will you know when it’s time to move in together, turn your relationship into a friendship or break up and move on?

If this happens, you should reconsider your relationship and find a way to move in together or maybe have a break from your relationship.

When you don’t get to fulfil your need for physical intimacy for a long time, it’s normal to feel sexually frustrated.

Having a sexual life with your romantic partner is healthy. In a long-distance relationship, physical intimacy is minimal. You can have a very healthy long-distance friendship that lasts for years.

Still, you cannot have a healthy romantic relationship over a long-distance if you don’t get to see your long-distance partner often enough.

When you’re feeling sexually frustrated, this frustration will spill into other aspects of your life. If it lasts for a long time, it can harm your relationship and your life. Here is an article that goes in more detail about sexual frustration in a long-distance relationship.

Sexually Frustrated in a Long-Distance Relationship

One way to manage your needs for physical intimacy is to regularly visit each other. This workbook will help you prepare for your visits and make the most of your time together:

A Lack of Emotional Intimacy in a Long-Distance Relationship

A lack of emotional intimacy is what really ends a relationship.

A lack of emotional intimacy results in:

• Losing interest
• Growing apart
• Emotional cheating
  

Issues with emotional intimacy in a long-distance relationship include:

• doubts
• insecurities
• distrust
• losing interest
  

While you can manage an emotional connection for some period, with time, it becomes increasingly difficult.

Cheating in a long-distance relationship can be a manifestation of an absence of physical intimacy or a lack of emotional intimacy.

Cheating in a Long-Distance Relationship

Being away from your partner means that neither of yours physical/sexual needs will be satisfied. One way to manage this is by talking openly and honestly about all your feelings and desires. Once you get it out in the open, it will allow both of you get on the same page and together you can make the best decisions that work for both of you.

For this to happen you need to have an amazing communication skills and the ability to bring up the sensitive topics. Since it is not always an easy task, this workbook can help you a lot in getting comfortable to talk about different things. It is also a guide that will help you have important conversations, so you can feel emotionally connected.

What Causes a Lack of Intimacy in a Long-Distance Relationship?

Reasons for lack of physical intimacy:

• no money to visit
• no time to visit
• no willingness to travel

Reasons for lack of emotional intimacy:

• infrequent communication
• communication breakdown
• lack of understanding

Fear of intimacy can also be a reason for lack of physical or emotional intimacy in a long-distance relationship.

Intimacy is a connection that you feel with your long-distance partner. Some people are afraid of having this connection for fear of losing it. Ironically, it’s the fear of losing this connection that gets in the way of a person having this connection, to begin with.

People can be afraid of intimacy because of their previous experiences. When you’re in a long-distance relationship, both you and your long-distance partner have a history of your own.

Nobody comes into a relationship completely free from their past. Previous experiences affect your behaviour, your thoughts, and your beliefs.

There’s one thing you can do while in a long-distance relationship. You can talk about intimacy issues with your long-distance partner. If you recognise that you are afraid of intimacy, you should speak to your partner about it. The only way you can sort out your intimacy issues is by facing them.

How to Fix Intimacy Issues in a Long-Distance Relationship?

How to Fix Problems With Physical Intimacy

• visit each other frequently
• make trips together
• go on fun holidays

If you are struggling with the lack of physical intimacy, the first thing you should do is to talk about it with your long-distance partner. If you don’t share your troubles with your partner, they won’t help you. A long-distance relationship is a teamwork. So help each other and love each other.

If a lack of physical intimacy is threatening your relationship, reconsider your relationship. Find a way to move in together or have a break from your relationship. There’s always an option of an open long-distance relationship, although it’s not for everyone.

How to Fix Problems With Emotional Intimacy

• Work on your communication
• Share your feelings
• talk about the future of your relationship
  

You can maintain emotional intimacy with your long-distance partner through trust and effective communication. Maintaining physical intimacy is not as easy and can lead to many problems in your relationship.

Here is our step by step intimacy guide that will help you stay physically and emotionally connected throughout your long-distance relationship.

Conclusion

Couples in a long-distance relationship face many issues with emotional and physical intimacy.

When you are away from your partner for a long time, your feelings may change, and you may start drifting apart. The lack of physical intimacy can lead to sexual frustration, which will negatively impact your relationship and your personal lives.

To maintain a healthy long-distance relationship, you need to handle intimacy issues if and when they arise. The best way to do it is by having a plan and a timeline for how long your long-distance relationship will last and when you will be able to move in together.

When you have a plan, you will have the reassurance knowing the next time you will see each other and ultimately, when you will be living together. Having regular communication without talking too much is also important to maintain an emotional connection, without creating unnecessary problems.

How Healthy Is Your Long-Distance Relationship?

If you are having doubts about your long-distance relationship and are not sure if you should try to fix it or let it go, here is our step by step guide to help you and your partner reassess your relationship and make an educated decision that works for both of you.

Relationship Coaching for Long-Distance Couples

Long-distance relationships are hard to maintain without knowing exactly what they involve.

However, once you understand what long-distance relationships are, what they are not and how to navigate them, you are a lot more likely to make it work.

We specialise in helping long-distance couples create and maintain a healthy relationship by building intimacy, trust and effective communication.

If you are starting a long-distance relationship or are already in one, send us a message to book an individual coaching session for yourself or a couples coaching session for you and your partner.

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