Must a Cheating Heart Unravel Your Marriage?

When Is an Affair an Affair?

A common misconception about infidelity is that it has to be physical. That's not always the case. Three important factors can help determine whether a platonic relationship has turned into an affair, or is on its way to becoming one:

1. Secrecy

Whether you're meeting a coworker for coffee or exchanging personal email with a cyberstranger, if you're keeping it a secret from your partner, you may want to ask yourself why. It could be a first step towards infidelity.

2. Emotional Intimacy

Confiding things to another person that you don't confide to your partner is a potential red flag, as well, especially if those things convey a sense of vulnerability or emotional availability.

3. Sexual Chemistry

Physical contact is not a prerequisite for sexual chemistry. Flirting or letting someone know that you're attracted to them, and then using your primary relationship as an excuse for not exploring that attraction, can create a sense of sexual tension that leads to full-blown infidelity.