Physical touch and long distance relationships: convos w/ friends Questions In Your 20s

Physical touch is a very important part of feeling connected with another person. Biologically, there are nerve fibres on our skin that sense touch which are associated with feeling physically and emotionally connected with another person. Our ability to touch the people we love, both sexually and non-sexually, can have a big impact on the depth that we feel love for another person as well as how loved we feel by others. It depends on our love language, it can be one of the most important parts of a relationship for people whose love language is physical touch, but can be of little importance for people who are more receptive to love in the forms of acts of service, quality time, thoughtful gifts, or words of affirmation. These 2 aspects of human connection, physical touch and navigating the different love languages of people in a relationship, can change when people enter long distance relationships. How do we adapt the ways we show our love when we cannot physically be with our partner? When is a long distance relationship not worth the longing?
References:
Jakubiak, B K, & Feeney, B C. (2019). Interpersonal touch as a resource to facilitate positive personal and relational outcomes during stress discussions. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(9), 2918–2936. doi:10.1177/0265407518804666
Lee, J E, & Cichy, K E. (2020). Complex role of touch in social relationships for older adults’ cardiovascular disease risk. Research on Aging, 42(7-8), 208–216. doi:10.1177/0164027520915793
Wasling, H.B. (2014). Fight off loneliness with touch | Helena Backlund Wasling | TEDxGöteborg [Video]. Youtube. URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omIWt3xq648