No matter how great a relationship is going, the fear of a partner cheating can creep in, causing anxiety, uncertainty, and, yes, fear. It’s understandable; according to one 2024 statistic, nearly 40% of unmarried couples and 25% of married ones experience at least one instance of infidelity. Which means there are many people out there who’ve cheated or been cheated on, perhaps both. 

People cheat for all kinds of reasons, including boredom, not getting their needs met, and insecurity. Knowing these motivations doesn’t make cheating acceptable, but it can help you look at your relationship with more awareness and understanding.  

It might also make you wonder: Can you do anything to prevent your partner from cheating on you?  

The honest answer is that while you can’t control someone else’s behavior, you can build a relationship predicated on trust, communication, and mutual respect, three key ingredients that can help keep you and your partner committed to each other. Here’s how.  

Keep the conversation flowing. 

One of the best ways to build a strong relationship is to create an atmosphere conducive to open communication. In other words, no topic should be off-limits.   

If something bothers you, talk to your partner about it. Share your feelings, concerns, and expectations so everything is out in the open.  

As important as it is to be open, it is equally as important to bring up sensitive topics in a non-confrontational and kind way. Your delivery can make a big difference in how your partner receives what you’re telling them.  

The reward for communicating well should be obvious: When both of you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts without judgment, you can address issues before they spiral out of control.  

Prioritize emotional intimacy. 

Emotional intimacy is what binds a relationship. It goes way beyond physical attraction and connects you on a deeper level.  

To deepen emotional intimacy, engage in activities you both enjoy and make an effort to understand each other’s needs, physical and emotional. Listen to each other. When your emotional bond is strong, it becomes less likely for either of you to seek connection elsewhere. 

Establish trust. 

A healthy relationship is built on trust. Without it, insecurity and suspicion can take hold. Keep in mind, though, that trust isn’t a given; trust is established over time through consistent and honest actions.  

If you or your partner has compromised the trust you shared in the past, rebuilding it will require patience and effort from both of you. To that end, be reliable, keep your promises, and demonstrate to your partner that they can depend on you. 

Keep the spark between you alive. 

Relationships can sometimes settle into a familiar rhythm, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, it’s helpful for your relationship to endure to keep the spark alive so that routine doesn’t become a rut.  

To keep your relationship from getting stale, surprise each other with little gestures, plan date nights, and explore new activities as a couple. Devoting time and attention to romance and spontaneity can help you and your partner to continue feeling valued, appreciated, and loved. 

Set healthy boundaries and enforce them as needed. 

Setting boundaries doesn’t mean restricting your partner’s freedom. Rather, it means setting standards that reflect an understanding of each other’s comfort levels and that you respect them.  

In that regard, create expectations about what’s acceptable and what’s not in your interactions with others so you don’t run into issues with micro-cheating in your relationship. By having regular conversations with your partner, you can make sure you’re both on the same page and avoid future misunderstandings. 

Steer clear of the comparison trap. 

An easy way to undermine your partner is to compare them to people you know, even ones you don’t. Instead of making comments like, “Look what so-and-so just bought his girlfriend/wife” or “Can you believe how amazing so-and-so looks in a swimsuit?” ask yourself how you would feel if your partner made the same comment to you.  

If you want more in your relationship, something that speaks to your particular love language, ask for it directly. Passive-aggressive behavior usually doesn’t yield the response you’re looking for, but being direct does. And if, for whatever reason, you find yourself disappointed, you’ll at least have enough information to address the issue in a way that still serves you. 

Limit social media. 

Social media can be a real relationship killer, especially given how certain behaviors, based on the rules of your relationship, can be construed as micro-cheating or lead to unequivocal cheating. Even if you or your partner haven’t done anything wrong, the behaviors of others can make for some very tense conversations between partners or create hard feelings. If you can, limit your social media usage or avoid it altogether and keep your relationship private.  

Final thoughts … 

Obviously, you can’t stop someone from cheating if that’s what they choose to do, but you can create an environment in your relationship that makes cheating less likely. By focusing on clear communication, trust, emotional intimacy, and keeping the romance alive, you will have the tools to build a relationship where both you and your partner feel secure. 

In the end, a strong relationship is a partnership in which both people are committed to each other’s happiness and well-being. By nurturing this bond, you give your relationship the greatest potential to enrich your and your partner’s life in all the ways a healthy connection should.