Avoiding Temptation: How Not to Cheat

Both men and women face temptation in relationships, but you can stay true.

It is the epitome of temptations: cheating on your mate. Sex in the copy room, a long-term clandestine affair, the mile-high club, hotel keys passed surreptitiosly at the bar, or a stolen kiss that leads to more. Despite being in a committed relationship, married, seriously dating, whatever the case may be, at some point, you start chatting with someone at the office, or texting silly cat videos. And, it’s effortless. You’re on a business trip, you’re lonely. There are client dinners with drinking, and flirting, and late nights. It’s all so damn tempting.

We face it every day: temptation even in little things, and we resist because what we want may not be good for us, in many ways, financially, physically or otherwise. There is chocolate decadence this, french-fried that, bottles of ice-cold Corona, nestled neck-in-neck in a rustic metal bucket on a sandy beach. And, don’t forget the rugged and devil-may-care Marlboro Man. He’s cliché, we know the risks, smoking kills, nobody smokes anymore, except that they do and they’re huddled outside in a haze of intoxicating albeit repulsive plume.

Part of the issue with temptation is this: you’re tired, you’re not thinking straight, you’re hungry, you’re buzzed, you’re lonely, you may or may not be missing something in your relationship. Seduction is everywhere. And no one is looking. You’re an adult, you’re not being chaperoned. But, you’re an adult, shouldn’t you be able to say no? How do you walk away from an affair, even if you are unhappy in your relationship, even if you’re bound for divorce? If you’re in a committed relationship and you’re monogamous, then it’s cheating. It’s as simple as that.

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In 2011, Northwestern psychological researchers Loran Nordgren and Eileen Chou looked at brain chemistry—aka visceral state—and its impact on willpower in resisting temptation. We may be adults, but our brains don’t always respond as such when under stress.

The study was a breakthrough. And it didn’t just apply to relationships. The same study also looked at smokers proving the temptation response to be similar there too. To lead a happy life where you accomplish your goals, build good habits, stay married and don’t smoke, overeat or overspend, you have to be in a cool visceral state. A cool visceral state means avoiding situations that get you worked up just before being confronted by temptation.

According to the study, the key is to know your triggers, and to avoid them.

If you are tempted to cheat: don’t expose yourself to media with a strong sexual charge before spending time with attractive colleagues, and avoid arguing with your partner before leaving on a business trip.

If you are tempted to spend recklessly: don’t wander through malls when you are feeling financially stressed and want a “pick me up.”

If you are overly hungry and feel the urge to binge eat: don’t get in the drive-thru lane at McDonald’s. Stash a protein bar in the car and get yourself home.

If you are tempted to smoke: don’t hang around the outdoor smoking areas at work, bars, and parties.

These are practical behavior modifications you can make that will help adjust your responses to tempting situations. Remove the temptation and it will be easier to resist.

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While limiting access to temptation is important, I believe if you are hell bent on getting that thing, whether it be a cigarette, a shake and fries, or your new neighbor, these tips may not work, or they may only delay the inevitable. And, if the compulsion is that strong, there may be something else going on, and I would posit that you need more than behavioral modification.

Specifically, if you are obsessed with the urge to cheat, or are already cheating, there are likely issues in your relationship unrelated to a cool visceral state. And you need to face them. And yes, I speak from experience.

If this is a new relationship, it’s likely an easy fix. You’re just not that into her, or him. Move on. Make the phone call, set up the coffee meet. Do not send a text. Or ghost. Be a grown up. Even if it was one or two dates, let the person hear your voice, if not see your face. If it’s a new relationship and your eyes and other body parts are already wandering, move on. It’s OK. How else do we know except by finding out?

If you saw long-term potential in this person and you are still ready to cut and run, you may want to look at why. It may be this is not the person for you. Or, breathe, and see what happens. Fear? Moving too fast? It’s your call. But make one. And don’t make it a booty call to someone else. Clean up what you’re in before starting something else.

If you are married, or in any other way in a committed relationship and are thinking of cheating, or have been, something is wrong, and you know it. This is a betrayal—assuming you and your partner agreed on monogamy.

If thoughts of cheating, or acts of cheating, permeate your being, get help, speak to someone, a therapist, family member, trusted friend, or, if it’s safe, your partner. Don’t throw away a marriage because you may be confused, feel unfulfilled, or angry. If you feel those things that’s OK, but talk, don’t act. It’s the adult thing to do. If your kids wanted a giant ice cream cone before bed, you’d say, “Now’s not the time, we can have ice cream tomorrow. It’s time to sleep.” If you really want to end things, you can have your next relationship later, after you settle this one.

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And, finally, for preventative measures, include maintenance in your relationship because it won’t stay healthy and strong by force of will. Life is nothing if not filled with hiccups. Relationships are work. Now don’t moan and roll your eyes. Sometimes it’s hard work, and sometimes it’s fun work. You get out of it what you put in, and if you let things slide, then it will slide. So, think about that. You may be in a happy, healthy, loving relationship right now with no temptation, and no inclination to cheat. Even then, your relationship is a dynamic organism and it needs constant care.

What works for you and your partner will differ from what works for others, but here are a few ways you can introduce weekly exercise into your relationship routine. Now go have fun, love each other, and be honest about what you want and how you feel.

Renew and set goals. If you’re married, re-read your wedding vows, if not, maybe love letters, or emails, or texts. Going back to square one will remind you of the positives in your relationship. Then, set a goal you can work on together like once a week, a romantic candlelight dinner.

Sext. While this flirty tip may not work for everyone, keep in mind there are levels of sexting. There can be everything from are career-ending photos to flirtatious verbal “I love you and can’t wait to see you tonights.” Double check the number before you send, and make sure your partner is on board.

Invest in yourself. Confidence is attractive. Invest in yourself so that you feel good, professionally, emotionally, physically, socially, and spiritually. See friends, work on your career, your mental, and physical health. You’ll both benefit.

Develop repair attempts. You will disagree, there’s no avoiding it. John Gottman’s The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, says successfully married couples enact repair attempts to manage tough situations. Repair attempts are statements or actions, silly or otherwise, that prevent negativity from escalating. You may stop during a fight, pretend you’re a referee and ask for a “time out.” You may start talking in a silly accent. Whatever works for you and your partner to break the tension and laugh; you’re not enemies.

Suggest a sex challenge. If frequency or sex drive is an issue, you’ll need to tailor this. Maybe set a Special Weekly Sex Date or Afternoon Delight on the weekend, or something else that works for you and your partner. Have fun with it.

Set up weekly check-ins. Touch base once a week. It doesn’t have to take long. Check in to see how your partner is feeling, if there is anything they wants to bring up, and you do the same. If you have a need that isn’t getting met, let it be known. By the same token, if you are deliriously happy, let your partner know. Celebrate. This way, it’s all out in the open.

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You and your partner may or may not end up together at the end of it all, or you may be happy and together. But you don’t have to end up angry and broken. You can know that you made the best decision while causing the least amount of hurt to someone you once loved, to your family, and your children, and you can move on, with peace, and know you did your honest best.

Also by  Jenny Kanevsky

10 Things You Need to Know About True Love

What Your Ex Wants You to Know About Your Cheating

Men Don’t Cheat, Cheater’s Cheat

Why a Kiss is More Than Just a Kiss

Yes, You Can Find Earth-Shattering Love After Divorce

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