A long-distance relationship is one of the hardest situations a couple can be in. No one wants to invest in love and risk losing it because of distance. Long distance relationships always carry the stigma that it will never work. However, many have proven that to be wrong.

A long-distance relationship can work out, but you need to have the right mindset and level of maturity to make things thrive. And, although both parties may have a strong will and heart to keep the relationship, there will always be struggles and challenges along the way.

With the insights of a relationship compatibility reading and  creating a few ground rules and doing fun activities that both parties may enjoy, they can make the distance more bearable. Here are basic tips that you may apply in order to make a long-distance relationship last and thrive.

• Set things straight. Some couples may have been separated without warning, probably due to work, education, or simply by geographical obstacles. So, it is important that you take time and be open to talk about communication rules, and other terms to consider. Discuss what communication medium both of you would use and how often, as well as the times you would visit each other.

• Likewise, be open to discuss how you feel about the situation. If you can, tell them what are the things that would upset you in the future, and how your partner can avoid it. Likewise, you have to set parameters about the status of your relationship, whether you would remain committed with each other, or you can openly date someone while both of you are separated.

• Do fun things together to kill distance and time. Doing couple things can also be fun even when you're apart. Watching your favorite show together, having candled-light dinner dates through Skype, playing online games, and other social media connected activities like joining a virtual world can be a start. Keeping the relationship at the exciting level can be the most challenging part, but if you have the will, you can find numerous ways. But keep it clean because nothing is private on the Internet.

• Communicate every so often. The vital key to any relationship's success is communication. It can come in many ways, and with the abundance of media choices these days, you will never run out of options. You can use Instragram or MMS to send pictures to each other; you can use Skype for video calls, cellular phones or regular land-line phones, social network accounts, and through emails.

• Make sure you boost each other's level of trust. Trust is the second ingredient to make this kind of relationship work out. 

• Be true to yourself and avoid temptation. Temptation will always be present anytime and anywhere, but you have to remember that there will never be any temptation if you have nothing to resist. As human beings, it is our nature to be attracted to the opposite sex. Yes, admiration or a little flirting would be okay, but if you keep a level of maturity that there is no other guy or woman like your distant loved one, that nothing can replace him or her, and there is no happiness comparable to what you feel when you're with  him/her, then the intensity of attraction you have for someone else would only surpass.

• To avoid temptation you have to set your boundaries and learn how to control your emotions. Remember the saying, "mind over body?" This is not just Confucius talking, but there is science behind it. Likewise, have an open communication with your partner. If someone likes you at the office, or you had a crush on someone at the bar, tell them. By being honest, you lessen the chances of lying and the human urge to do something wrong. Lastly, think of how your partner would feel and how it would affect your relationship. If you know the end game of your decisions, then temptation will less likely come your way.

Long-distance relationships are merely a phase that couples sometimes have to face. How to survive it depends on the intensity of love invested and the level of maturity and willingness to keep the love last. This may not be for everyone, and this is a realistic truth. Whether it would work out or not, be honest to yourself, but make sure you give it your best shot.