How do we keep our emotional connection strong when daily life feels routine [24F/29M]

My boyfriend 29M and I 24F have been in a long distance relationship for sixteen months. We still talk every single day and tell each other we love each other but lately our conversations feel more like updates than real connection. Work and studies keep us both exhausted so we end up sharing quick facts about our day instead of the deeper feelings we used to share easily.

We try to do virtual dates but even those sometimes turn into background noise while we multitask. We both worry that we are slowly drifting even though we care so much. We want to stay emotionally close until we can close the gap next year but it is getting harder to feel that spark consistently.

How have you maintained emotional connection in your long distance relationship during busy or routine periods. What small habits or changes made the biggest difference for you and your partner.