8 Ways to Heal from Infidelity
In a 2021 survey, Health Testing Centers found a little over 46% of respondents in a monogamous relationship said they had affairs. For those couples who opted to save their relationships, 47.5% said they established and enforced new relationship rules, such as sharing phone passwords, to minimize the likelihood of more affairs.
So we know infidelity is quite common in monogamous relationships, but how do we heal from it? According to experts, affair recovery usually takes anywhere from six months to two years. The process can be difficult and painful, but it is possible.
Here are some steps that may help you in the healing process:
Allow yourself to grieve: Infidelity can cause a wide range of emotions such as anger, sadness, and betrayal. It's important to allow yourself to feel and process these emotions.
Communicate openly and honestly: Communication is key to healing from infidelity. If you're the one who has been cheated on, it's important to express your feelings and to ask your partner any questions you may have. If you're the one who has cheated, it's important to take responsibility for your actions and to be open and honest about what happened.
Seek professional help: A therapist or counselor can help you work through the emotional pain and help you rebuild trust and intimacy in your relationship.
Take time to heal: Healing from infidelity takes time. Be patient with yourself and don't rush into making any decisions about your relationship.
Reflect on the relationship: Take time to reflect on the relationship and consider if there were any underlying issues that contributed to the infidelity.
Make a plan for rebuilding trust: Rebuilding trust takes time and effort from both parties. Make a plan for how you will rebuild trust and stick to it.
Consider the future: Consider what you want in the future and if the relationship is worth saving. Be honest with yourself and your partner about what you want and what you're willing to do to make it work.
Forgive: Forgiveness is key to healing from infidelity. It's important to understand that forgiving your partner doesn't mean that what they did is okay, it just means that you're willing to let go of the anger and resentment and move forward.
It's important to remember that every relationship is unique and that healing from infidelity may look different for everyone. It's also important to note that healing from infidelity may not always mean staying in the relationship. It's important to make a decision that is best for you and your well-being.
Source: PsychCentral