Introduction
Relationships do come in different forms. It could either be monogamous or an open relationship. Open relationships allow the partners to get involved with other people intimately. There is nothing like cheating in such an arrangement. With monogamous, you agree to commit to one another and, therefore, no intimate engagement with another person. Here the impact of cheating is much felt. Many acts define cheating, depending on the nature of the relationship. For some, a simple act of flirting is cheating. Going out on dates, kissing, and even sexual involvement can be considered cheating. Partners must get to be on the same page and have similar ideas of what cheating constitutes. Mainly, cheating involves secrecy. When one is sneaking around and lying about where they have been and been with is cheating. Cheating can either be emotional or physical affairs. It could be a one-night stand or a long-lasting fling. Regardless of the degree of deception, it still hurts and harms any relationship.

Not that cheating is justifiable, but some factors could cause drift in relationships and push one to cheat. When a relationship is not working out as expected, one could seek comfort and company elsewhere.   For instance, when the couple no longer take part in activities that were once fulfilling and majorly defined their relationship, infidelity occurs. It also happens when there is stress in the relationship-talk of financial difficulties, the relationship's strength, and varied personalities. The way a couple handles the stress will define the outcome.

Cheating or infidelity can severely strain a relationship. An affair can be devastating; one feels betrayed, confused, and even lonely. Some couples will work to fix the broken relationship, but to some, the affair ends it. Cheating affects both parties; the uninvolved partner, involved in other cases the same extends to children.

Being cheated on has adverse effects on both the physical and mental health. Often the person experiences;

Such individuals tend to engage in high-risk behaviors, including drug and substance abuse, unprotected sexual patterns, overdoing activities such as exercising. Knowing your spouse cheated on you hurts. The feeling that your partner chose someone else over you is not good. You may never be able to trust your spouse even if you fix the situation.

Many may not notice this, but infidelity also affects the partner who cheats. If the affair has lasted long without the knowledge of the other partner, the impact can be drastic. The emotional, physical, and mental effects of such affairs can be severe. One could be depressed and anxious, mainly due to the guilt that overtakes their conscience. In other cases, one would feel gauged, helpless, and trapped in the situation. This means that it gets even more challenging close to impossible to change it. The longer the affair goes on, the more significant the impact. Affairs do not remain secret forever; the fear of resistance, not knowing how your partner will react to the news, is quite devastating.

Cheating can break a relationship, but if you decide to work on it, recognize that there will always be trust issues. Try as much to avoid situations that can put either of you in a compromising position.  Work on building trust; this, however, will not happen overnight. Partners must be honest with their feelings of hurt, guilt, and even shame. With a solid foundation, you can protect your relationship from similar situations in the future.