According to a 2022 survey, about 54 percent of people across the country were cheated on at some point in their lives. Getting cheated on by one’s partner is quite painful, and it can lead to a ton of mental health consequences. Even then, infidelity is a common thing in relationships all across the world. Here are a few warning signs an individual might be cheating on their romantic partner.

Greater emotional distance
Strong relationships are built on closeness, honesty, and an emotional attachment that people share with each other. When a person starts detaching themselves knowingly or unknowingly from their partner, it could mean they are moving on from the relationship and having an affair with another person. Examples of growing emotional and physical distance include people making excuses to be away from their partners. A cheating partner may constantly be away for meetings, workouts, or sports and spend less time and effort toward maintaining the relationship and taking it forward. While distances creep up in any relationship, they are often workable and resolvable. However, that might not be the case when infidelity is involved.

Changes in appearance
If someone starts putting more effort into enhancing their appearance, it could be a sign that they are cheating on their partner. Generally, people dress up nicely and try to look their best when entering a new relationship. They invest in new outfits, pay more attention to their grooming, work out more, wear perfume or cologne more regularly than usual, and put their best foot forward in the early stages of a brand-new relationship. This behavior is driven by the need to impress the person with whom one is having an affair.

Sudden changes in routine
When a person’s routine undergoes sudden, radical changes, it could mean they are cheating on their partner. People in an affair tend to spend way more time away from their homes and current partners. They start working late hours, staying in the gym longer, traveling more frequently, and find it hard or impossible to make time for their existing partner. However, this behavior often gets overlooked because people tend to believe their lover or spouse is busy with work obligations or other personal commitments that are private or exclusive to them.

Showering one’s existing partner with gifts
People who are cheating on their partner tend to cover their guilt by showering gifts. This exercise is often performed to emotionally compensate for their partners’ woes and make themselves feel better about the infidelity. Therefore, if someone suddenly starts receiving gifts, even when it is not a special occasion, they should treat it as a red flag and look for other signs of infidelity in their partners. While receiving presents can make one happy, individuals should take notice if their partner goes overboard with gifting.

Not talking about one’s existing partner on social media
Couples in secure relationships commonly share photos and videos of their partners on social media. They may share cherished memories on their social media profiles, like cutting cakes on birthdays, impromptu dance-offs, and pet-related activities. However, someone who is cheating on their partner will be more reluctant to share such moments. This happens because, in their minds, they have moved on from their existing partners and no longer feel the need to associate themselves with them on any digital platform. Therefore, if one notices that their partner no longer talks about them, they should treat it as a warning sign and try to find out the cause.

Being possessive about one’s phone or laptop
People who are cheating on their partners tend to communicate frequently with the one with whom they are having an affair. They call and text them almost throughout the day, even when they are with their current partners. To hide these conversations from their current partner, the individual may become extra protective of their phones and laptops. It is common for them to take their phones and laptops wherever they go, including the bathroom. This is a potential red flag one should not ignore.

Non-verbal cues of nervousness
Most people tend to be nervous if they are having an affair. This nervousness may manifest in the form of various non-verbal bodily cues. For example, they may rock back and forth while speaking to their current partner or stutter and stammer. That said, stuttering and rocking could also be signs of anxiety triggered by other reasons or indications of a health condition. Therefore, one must take the time to understand the underlying cause and not jump to conclusions. Individuals can consult a health expert if the symptoms are suspected to be health-related.

Greater hostility in the relationship
People tend to become less and less patient with their partners when having an affair with someone else. They become annoyed and lash out more frequently whenever their partner makes unreasonable remarks or behaves in a way they do not deem nice or acceptable. This is one of the most evident signs a person is losing the affection they once had for their partner. After all, the greatest indicator of affection is patience.