Cheating doesn’t always involve sex.

In fact, more often than not, infidelity stems from much deeper and more emotional issues.

Sometimes, it can happen without you realizing it.

Man cheating on woman

The difference between emotional cheating and friendship is how you or your partner handles this other relationship.

Are you spending more alone time with them instead of your husband or wife?

Is there a need to gloss over or hide certain parts of the relationship from the spouse?

Man and woman talking at work

If the answer is yes to any of the above, then it’s considered emotional cheating.

Regardless of yourgenderor sexuality, emotional infidelity can be just as painful as a physical affair.

So what are the best ways to verify the lines aren’t crossed?

A boyfriend and girlfriend talk with each other.

It should start as a conversation with your partnerbeforeit becomes an issue, ideally.

Communicate, communicate, communicate!

These kinds of conversations might bring up unresolved emotional scars from past experiences.

A girlfriend and her partner talk about her infidelity

If that happens, double-check you’re being considerate of your partner’s feelings.

If your friend really cares about your friendship, then they’ll honor your requests.

“Something is missing that makes you vulnerable to temptation.”

In fact, it could be just the thing your relationship needs to make it stronger.

“Desire runs deep.

Sometimes, it’s the only thing you’re able to do.