Psychotherapist Esther Perel, who’s spent 45 years helping couples, says infidelity often stems from emotional emptiness—not just relationship problems. “Loneliness is a big one,” she told The Telegraph. Cheating isn’t always about betrayal—it can reflect inner struggles or a loss of connection.

Perel believes many affairs happen when a relationship feels lifeless. “The story of an affair is that your first marriage is over. But you can create a second one,” she said. Sometimes, couples grow too close in a way that kills desire, or drift apart so much that one partner feels invisible.

The key to preventing infidelity? Curiosity. “It means exploration, discovery, and being alive,” Perel explained. Instead of slipping into routine, couples should ask each other new questions and explore the unknown in their relationship.

Perel encourages playfulness and open conversation. “Play is when taking risks is fun,” she says. With curiosity and effort, couples can revive their bond and build something stronger than before.