It’s no secret that maintaining a long-distance relationship requires a huge amount of work and dedication. Whether it’s the result of deployment, relocation or an online romance, being separated from one another can be the most difficult things a couple ever goes through. Here are some tips to help make the separation more bearable.

Stay Positive – Fight the temptation to hunker down with an MP3 player full of sad songs and a bottle of wine. Instead, try to concentrate on the positive aspects of your relationship.

Focus On Future Plans – When the pressure of being separated gets to be a bit too much, it helps to focus on the future. Whether it’s the next meeting or the big picture, thinking about what you’re working towards and waiting for can make it all seem worthwhile.

Get Out of the House – Go out. Go to the park or a museum, out for a walk or to dinner with friends. Doing something fun will keep your mind off the separation and will give you something to talk about the next time you’re on the phone.

Get a Hobby – All too often, adults let hobbies and pastimes fall to the wayside in the tedium of work and day to day responsibilities. Recapturing the joy of a hobby can be a great way to relieve stress from many aspects of your life, not to mention offer an enjoyable distraction for the times when talking to your guy just isn’t feasible.

Cultivate Your Own Interests – It’s so easy to be influenced by the likes and dislikes of a significant other that sometimes we lose sight of our own interests. Even if it’s as simple as watching a movie that your honey wouldn’t have much desire to see, using the time apart as a way to keep your own interests alive can make the separation seem shorter.

Trust Him – Trust can be an issue in any relationship, but it’s definitely compounded when there are miles between you. Making an effort to maintain trust in your relationship is arguably the most important aspect of keeping a long-distance relationship strong; there’s no question that it makes those long nights alone easier to bear.

Be Realistic About Communication – There are going to be days when even a short conversation simply isn’t feasible, especially if you’re in different time zones. Having rigid expectations about how often you speak can put a huge amount of pressure on your relationship. Instead, try to look at every conversation as a pleasant surprise.

Invest in a Web Cam – Sometimes a telephone just isn’t enough, even if the conversation lasts for hours. Being able to see your sweetie will do wonders for your morale, so a web cam might be the most powerful weapon at your disposal.

Start an Exercise Regimen – Exercise releases mood-boosting endorphins and fosters an all-around feeling of well being, so building a workout routine might be another way to combat the stress of separation.

Form a Support System – Even having just one friend that can identify with your situation can go a long way. Your friends are vitally important, and can help keep you grounded.

Though it can sometimes feel like it will never end, remember that the separation won’t last forever. Staying as optimistic as possible and keeping the end goal in sight will help, as will having a clear plan for the future. Though it may be difficult, try to treasure the time you have to yourself and avoid worrying about things that can’t be changed immediately.