BySiddhi Jain

July 12, 2020 (IANSlife) Social ​distancing has affected people's personal lives greatly, and romantic relationships are bearing the brunt of it. ​​Couples who are dating are ​separated by distance, the strain is bound to have an impact.

To rebuild and strengthen Covid​-​induced relationship​ distance, even virtual efforts can go a long way in showing you care.

​"​Relationships facing physical distancing and proximity issues need to be nurtured and prioritised. The realisation that you miss​ ​that relationship is the key factor here. Sometimes we take relationships for granted and​ ​forget how important they are. Re-establishing emotional and meaningful communication​ ​sets the right vibes for healing​," ​Dr Sonal Anand, Psychiatrist, Wockhardt Hospital, Mira Road​ told IANSlife.​

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​Here's what Dr Anand suggests you do:

• Take some time out​ every day​. It could be a phone call or a short video call or a message/email. Expressing your​ ​concern doesn’t have to be very verbal​, ​just the fact that you communicated speaks of its​ ​own accord. The internet has really shrunk the distance and family group chats,​ virtual dates,​ ​Zoom meetings, interesting challenges, edited song/dance mixes are doing the rounds and​ ​​helping in the right places.

• ​Writing letters​ or ​e-letters should make a comeback. Letters are​ ​more expressive and bring a mixed bag of emotions and creativity. Sharing old memories,​ ​old photographs is a good way of building up communication. For couples who are facing the lockdown distance, this time could be used to revisit past memorable events and make​ ​up for any grievances.

• A surprise gift via e- commerce could bring about happiness. Nothing too grand, just something thoughtful.
   
• To keep positivity, she suggests that ​day​-​to​-​day relationships should also be considered. Helping an aged neighbour with​ ​essentials or helping a lonely friend can really instill confidence in oneself. ​"​We must​ ​remember that this pandemic is trying to isolate our minds as well and a firm resolve to​ ​fight this crisis with the strength of humanity and strong relationships is what will help heal​ ​our minds​," she signs off.
  
   

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