How to Avoid Cheating or Being Cheated on in Relationships

“People cheat on each other in a hundred different ways: indifference, emotional neglect, contempt, lack of respect, years of refusal of intimacy. Cheating doesn’t begin to describe the ways that people let each other down.” ~ Esther Perel

Cheating isn’t something most people like in committed relationships. Unfortunately, cheating has become more common in recent times. If you’re married or in a relationship and are worried about being cheated on there are some things you can do to help avoid it.

The key to avoiding most problems in relationships is communication. Talk to your partner about your concerns and make sure that they understand the importance of you two being faithful to one another.

Trust is another important factor in avoiding cheating. If you don’t trust your partner completely, it might tempt you to cheat if the opportunity presents itself. Build trust by being honest with one another.

Finally, make sure that both of you are pleased with the relationship. If there are any problems or unresolved issues, address them head-on instead of letting them fester. This can lead to resentment and unhappiness. These are two elements that can lead to cheating.

“Bad marriages don’t cause infidelity; infidelity causes bad marriages.” ~ Frank Pittman

Despite what many people might think, there are steps couples can take to avoid cheating. I’ve listed four below:

1. Maintain an open line of communication with your partner. In relationships, cheating occurs most often when there’s a lack of communication. Don’t turn to someone else if you’re unsatisfied or unhappy with your relationship. Instead, talk to your partner about it.

2. Make sure you’re both on the same page when it comes to monogamy. Couples should want the same thing out of their relationships — if one wants an open relationship while the other does not, that will most likely lead to cheating.

3. If you don’t trust your partner, there’s a good chance they’ll cheat on you at some point. Being honest, keeping your promises, and spending time together will help you build trust.

4. Pay attention to warning signs. In the case of cheating, certain behaviors can be red flags, so be careful if your partner starts acting differently.

I have a bonus tip to avoid cheating. There’s a tradition that states: “If you see someone you’re attracted to, go home and have sexual relations with your spouse.” This is a means of curtailing cheating.

I heard some religious belief recently that states if you’re attracted to someone outside your marriage that’s adultery. I’ve mentioned this before. Are we saying that God is unjust? That’s what such a belief indicates.

That God would take us to account for our thoughts without acting on them. God is never unjust. If we avoid the act of cheating, it will help us keep our relationships intact.

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This post was previously published on Louis Morris’ blog.

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