<strong>For many of us at <i data-path-to-node="1" data-index-in-node="18">Women Love Health</i>, the idea of a "long-distance relationship" used to evoke images of grainy, pixelated screens and the heartbreaking lag of a dropped connection. But as I’ve often explored through my own journey in the tech world, we are living through a profound shift in how we maintain our most intimate human bonds. </strong> <p data-path-to-node="3">Take the story of Gemma-Louise May and Eren Kece. While Gemma-Louise is in Sydney, she spends her days on "romantic strolls" through London’s Portobello Market or marvelling at the flora in Liberty. Through the miracle of high-definition video calling, she is experiencing a "tour" that makes her feel as though she is standing right by Eren’s side.</p> <h3 data-path-to-node="4"><b data-path-to-node="4" data-index-in-node="0">The Rise of the 'Mid-Distance Dater'</b></h3> <p data-path-to-node="5">We are seeing the emergence of a new demographic that relationship expert Dr. Nikki Goldstein calls "mid-distance daters." These are couples who may live in the same city or even the same house but whose high-powered careers and busy lifestyles keep them physically separated for much of the day.</p> <p data-path-to-node="6">The data shows a fascinating trend:</p> <ul data-path-to-node="7"> <li> <p data-path-to-node="7,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">The Digital Connection</b>: During Valentine’s week alone, <b data-path-to-node="7,0,0" data-index-in-node="55">nbn</b> traffic data predicts Australian households will used the equivalent of 15 one-hour video calls to connect with loved ones.</p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="7,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Beyond the Physical</b>: For couples like Gemma-Louise and Eren, who have spent half of their four-year relationship in different countries, the quality of the connection is everything.</p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="7,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="7,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">The End of Isolation</b>: As Nikki Goldstein notes, traveling for work no longer has to mean guilt or isolation; real-time communication has ensured that distance is no longer the barrier it once was.</p> </li> </ul> <h3 data-path-to-node="8"><b data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="0">Bridging the Intimacy Gap</b></h3> <p data-path-to-node="10">As Gemma-Louise beautifully put it, "When you don’t have the physical connection, all you have is the words." But when those words are delivered with a clear picture and zero buffering, the miles seem to melt away.</p> <h3 data-path-to-node="11"><b data-path-to-node="11" data-index-in-node="0">Dr. Nikki Goldstein’s Tips for Digital Intimacy:</b></h3> <ul data-path-to-node="12"> <li> <p data-path-to-node="12,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="12,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Prioritise the Visual</b>: Choose HD video calls over voice. Seeing a partner’s facial expressions allows you to gauge their mood and feelings in a way audio simply cannot.</p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="12,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="12,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Invest in Your Connection</b>: A strong, reliable network like the <b data-path-to-node="12,1,0" data-index-in-node="63">nbn</b> ensures that your "digital date" isn't interrupted by the frustration of constant buffering.</p> </li> <li> <p data-path-to-node="12,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="12,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Share the Micro-Moments</b>: Use messenger apps to share your day in real-time. It’s the small, frequent updates that keep a partner feeling like a part of your daily rhythm.</p> </li> </ul> <img class="wp-image-99041 aligncenter" src="https://womenlove.health/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Gemma-Louise-May-3.jpg" alt="Gemma-Louise May " width="451" height="601" /> <h3><strong>Dr Nikki Goldstein's Top Tips To Keep Love Alive For Couples In Mid and Long-term relationships</strong></h3> <ol> <li><strong> Be visual</strong></li> </ol> Choose HD video calls over voice calls to make sure you can see your partner’s facial expressions and gauge a better sense of their mood and feelings. <ol start="2"> <li><strong> Stay connected</strong></li> </ol> Ensure your network connection is strong so that your online time together is quality time. Access to the <strong>nbn</strong> network will ensure your date goes off without constant buffering or delay. <ol start="3"> <li><strong> Be frequent and share content</strong></li> </ol> Keep each other updated in real-time via messenger apps and social media about what you’re doing or where you are to ensure your partner knows they are on your mind.<strong> </strong> <ol start="4"> <li><strong> Harness online tools</strong></li> </ol> Use apps to help you stay connected by doing everything from tracking how long you’ve been apart, to listening to each other’s heartbeat in real-time. <p class="p2"><img class="aligncenter" style="-webkit-user-select: none;" src="https://womenlove.health/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/sponsored-post.jpg" width="823" height="56" /></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1">This is a sponsored post by <a href="http://www.nbnco.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nbn™</strong></a>. All opinions expressed by the author are authentic and written in their own words.</span></p>
