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Finding out that your partner has been unfaithful can hit you like a ton of bricks. Your marriage may be thrown into a state of crisis that may destroy it. It is natural to want to know why your partner cheated, but there is rarely a simple answer to why someone becomes unfaithful. It could be a symptom of other problems in your marriage, it could relate to something in your partner’s past, or it could be totally unrelated to you or to your marriage.
No matter the cause, you’ll have a lot of complicated feelings to sort through, and a lot to think about as you decide how to move forward.
These five tips can help you cope with the aftermath of betrayal:
- Accept Your Feelings:
Shock, agitation, fear, pain, depression, and confusion are normal. You will likely feel like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster for a while. It takes time to get beyond the pain of having an unfaithful mate. Don’t expect the mixture of feelings and mistrust to go away immediately. Even if you’re trying to forgive your partner and repair your marriage, it is natural to grieve the relationship you once had.
- Don’t Seek Revenge:
Being betrayed by your partner can induce rage. In your furious state, your first instinct may be to punish your mate by trash-talking him to friends (or worse, on social media), or think about having an affair yourself to get even. You may get a temporary sense of satisfaction from these sorts of actions, but ultimately they can work against you, keeping you in a state of anger instead of focusing on healing and moving on, alone or together. Be careful how you tell your family, as well. They will likely have strong opinions about what you should do—leave or stay. However, nobody else really understands what goes on in another person’s marriage, so while you are pondering how you’re going to proceed, it’s best to keep the details private.
- Try to Take Care of Yourself:
You may have some physical reactions due to stress such as nausea, diarrhea, sleep problems (too little or too much), shakiness, difficulty concentrating, not wanting to eat, or overeating. Once the initial shock has passed, try your best to eat healthy foods, stay on a schedule, sleep regular hours, get some exercise each day, drink plenty of water, and, yes, have some fun.
- Avoid the Blame Game:
Blaming yourself, your partner, or the third party won’t change anything and it’s just wasted energy. Try not to play the victim either, or wallow in self-pity. It will only make you feel more helpless and bad about yourself.
- Seek Counseling:
Don’t try to get through coping with unfaithfulness alone. Before you make any decisions about whether or not to end your marriage, it’s wise to talk to a couple’s counselor, who will be neutral and can help you gain insight into what exactly happened. You can ask your partner questions and share your feelings without losing your cool.
An experienced therapist can help you communicate better and process feelings of guilt, shame, and whatever else you might be feeling.
Infidelity is one of the most difficult challenges a marriage can face, but it doesn’t always mean it’s the end. As you work through the aftermath over time, it will become clear how to go forward so that the next phase of your life can begin.