Infidelity can shatter trust, but relationship therapist Esther Perel has spent 45 years studying why people cheat. She explains that cheating often stems from feeling that the relationship has become dull or lifeless.
People may cheat because of problems in the relationship like loneliness or feeling disconnected, or because of personal struggles unrelated to their partner. Perel says that many people have multiple relationships in life, and affairs can be a sign that one relationship has ended emotionally.
She advises couples to embrace curiosity—actively learning about and engaging with each other in new ways. This curiosity invites play and risk-taking, which can revive passion and prevent relationships from becoming stale.
Perel’s message is clear: keeping love alive requires openness, exploration, and a willingness to take chances together.
