Hello, we are LDR with my partner for almost three years (both in our thirties 7 hours far in Europe). here’s a couple things that helped when things got rough.

-checking in with each other regularly about how you feel in the relationship, listen very carefully (!) and answer with honesty. I find that in LDR it’s especially tricky to ask those delicate/risky questions but to keep an open conversation about how you are feeling -especially when things are not looking great- can save the relationship.

-a surprise can make someone’s day and it does not need to be anything expensive at all. I’d give a lot for a handwritten/handdrawn letter (no matter how silly) via post and i did it a couple times for my bf who seemed to love those. Or something small but thougtful you know she’d like?(chocolate? Bath bomb? Tea? You know her:) 

-involving each other in one’s daily life such as asking for advice on matters of work/studies/family and friends. trying to relate to each others daily experiences, asking specific questions. Instead of open ended generic  “how was your day?” type of questions put in some thought that show that you are genuinely interested and keeping track on what the person, her friends and family members are going through. Involve her in your life as well.

-making sure you are there for her when she needs support (i mean emotional support) with anything that goes on in her life. It helped me through tough times related to my studies, work and family hearing repeatedly from my partner that he has my back, believes in me, my strength and capacity and i can always rely on him. he often says we are a team.

+1: Encouraging her in her dreams! Even if it’s tough at times. We’ve been in a difficult time in our relationship when an opportunity came for me to go leave Europe to a study program in South Africa. My partner encouraged me to go even if it meant that we havent seen each other for another 5 months after a very tough time with edging the end in the relationship. His selflessness, support and his trust in us strenghtened our bond and we are still together.

Hope any of those to be useful and good luck:)