What to do after your partner cheats? Hear from an expert

Cheating is one of the most offensive things a person does to you. You can tell yourself that you have forgiven them once they have cheated, but have you really? You still feel doubtful every time they check their phone or when they come home late. It can be a daunting task to fathom how to “move on.”

If you have been struggling with the same and constantly thinking that your partner is cheating on you, we have some tips that might help you. We reached out to mental health expert and founder of The Mindful Foundation, Geetika Arora Bhojak to understand how to handle when your partner cheats on you.

Mental effects of your partner cheating on you

Constantly thinking about your partner cheating on you can spiral into overthinking, which can lead to a lot of problems. Not only do these thoughts cause permanent damage in your relationship, but fiddle with your mind as well.

“A bad relationship, especially a betrayal can bring out the worst in us. A break-up due to being cheated on can fuel our worst fears. It is a significant life event, and the over-the-counter advice to “move on” without processing the emotional upheaval can be an impetus for forming long-lasting distrust for all future relationships. The domino effect of this betrayal could lead to anxiety and depression if left unchecked,” avers Bhojak.

How to handle yourself when your partner cheats on you?

Your partner cheating on you might seem like the end of the world, but it really isn’t! As per the expert, there are several tools that can help you ease the transition from betrayal to wholly healed. You will be happy again and capable of having fulfilling relationships. These are the key practices I found most helpful in healing, according to Bhojak.

Self-compassion

People tend to blame themselves when their partner cheats on them, Bhojak suggests that you should stop doing that. “Take the time to heal rather than ruminating or playing the blame game. Be gentle with yourself – your partner cheating is not because you lacked anything.”

Mindfulness

For the unversed, mindfulness is being aware of your surroundings and focusing on living the present movement. Turns out, mindfulness can be beneficial when something like this happens in your life. In fact, a study published in the journal Mindfulness found that people who are more mindful tend to be more forgiving. Bhojak says that you should, “acknowledge the emotions, and make space for them rather than fighting them.”

Gratitude

Having a good support system is key to finding positive mechanisms to overcome the trauma of your partner cheating on you. “Express gratitude for the loving friends and family that surround you. And the biggest part of the healing is to express gratitude for the good times you had and the learning you will have due to this life event,” says Bhojak.

Note: Consult a professional mental health practitioner to deal with the problem accordingly.