Follow These 21 Tips To Prevent Cheating In Your Relationship

It's impossible to be in a relationship these days without worrying about infidelity. It seems like everywhere we turn, a politician, celebrity or friend is having an affair. So, what can you do to ensure that your man won't cheat on you? Our experts have some practical tips about what you can do to infidelity-proof your relationship. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Become his mistress. Let's face it, routine will take the thrill out of any relationship. As a matter of fact, it can make you feel like there's something missing. So, add a twist! Rev up your love life by bringing mystery, intrigue and romantic adventure into your relationship as "the other woman." Why not let him cheat with you? —Sherri Nickols

2. Tell him he's your hero. Men need to feel appreciated. They actually get a hormonal rush if they think they've saved the day. So, give him the glory and gush all over the things he does for you. Remember how you stroked his ego when you were dating? Do it again and again and again and watch him puff up like a peacock looking for more ways to please you and only you. —Sherri Nickols

3. Embrace your feminine essence. Most accomplished women are very competent, capable and independent, bringing masculine energy into their relationships. When a man is in her space, he does not feel needed and will go where he is needed instead. Best to flip to feminine when you're together, making him feel like a man before some little damsel in distress digs her way in. —Sherri Nickols

4. Receive with happiness. Anytime your partner gives to you, whether it's an action or physical gift, receive it with joyfulness. This lets him know he can win with you and he won't be looking elsewhere to find a woman who will be wowed by him. —Sherri Nickols

5. Reclaim your playful spirit. If you've lost your fun, sexy side, it's time to get it back. Laughing and playing are the key elements to emotional intimacy, helping you build that safe and solid relationship you crave. Make the time to be playmates so he won't be tempted to play in someone else's sandbox. Put it on your planner! —Sherri Nickols

6. Choose your partner wisely. Be honest with yourself about what you're looking for in a partner. Do not make excuses for issues such as wandering eyes, flirting with co-workers, friends and so-on during courtship. Once you overlook potential problems at an early stage and settle because of other attributes, you can't complain when the potential problem becomes a big issue. —Chidi Asika-Enahoro

7. Focus on maturity. Is your partner ready to settle down and be in a monogamous relationship? Age does not always signify maturity. Has he had enough relationships to be sure that he wants to be in a committed relationship? Be mindful that some people are greedy and would always want to eat their cake and eat other people's cake as well. —Chidi Asika-Enahoro

8. Open and honest communication from the beginning will help to establish the tone of your relationship. Discuss infidelity and get a feel of how you both want to handle such things. Establish under what circumstance(s) it is acceptable or pardonable, and review all the possible scenarios. —Chidi Asika-Enahoro

9. Sharpen your listening skills; learn to hear your partner out completely. People love new relationships because everyone is into each other, listening intently, gazing into each other's eyes. Be attentive. —Chidi Asika-Enahoro

10. Be mindful that everyone loves variety and freshness. Each partner should endeavor to spice things up by doing the following: (1) whatever pleases the other person in and out of bed, (2) take time out for each other to go on dates, (3) take short and long vacations alone, (4) show each other appreciation, (5) give each other massages, (6) cook for each other, (7) notice little things, (8) be considerate, (9) be thoughtful, (10) be kind, (11) be understanding and (12) compliment each other. —Chidi Asika-Enahoro

11. Discuss your fantasies. Your partner may have fantasies that he is scared to tell you in case you freak out. Unfulfilled fantasies can fuel a desire to act them out, and if you're not even willing to listen, they might just do that with someone else. Encourage him to talk, be open-minded and non-judgmental and if there are some that don't disgust you, be willing to at least consider trying them. He'll thank you for being such a cool and understanding girlfriend. —Miss Natasha Ngonyama

12. Break the routine. Boredom can make the idea of cheating exciting, but most of us tend to settle into routines eventually. Spice your relationship up and bring back the excitement. Skip the cozy Friday night in with yet another Friends episode, and go out dancing or to a theme park instead. Remind your partner that there's a reason he fell for you. —Miss Natasha Ngonyama

13. Show your appreciation. It's not uncommon for men to feel under-appreciated. He pays for dinners out, helps with the chores, gives you regular foot massages, puts up with your many moods and he hardly gets a thank you. Cut down on the nagging and try showing your partner that you appreciate him; maybe even throw in a little unexpected gift, too. If he knows he has a woman that cares for him, it will give him one less reason to stray. —Miss Natasha Ngonyama

14. Solve the little problems. Pay attention to moods and solve petty arguments quickly. Let him know that you're there to talk and are willing to talk through the issues; otherwise, he may decide to escape his problems by running into another attentive woman's arms. Don't let little problems turn into big ones. —Miss Natasha Ngonyama

15. Be a friend first. If he sees you as not only his lover and partner but also as his friend, he will feel more loyal to you and will less likely risk hurting you. A girlfriend can easily be replaced, but good friends are hard to find. —Miss Natasha Ngonyama

16. Keep romance alive in your marriage. The big question is: what is romance to you and your spouse? Discuss what it means to each of you. One person may want a night of dinner and dancing, while to another, romance is cuddling on the couch eating popcorn and watching a chick flick. —Cindy Holbrook

17. Listen to what your spouse has to say. You may be thinking about your own day, what is on your to do list or just wish you could have some peace and quiet. These thoughts mean you are not listening to your spouse. When your spouse feels unheard, they will feel unhappy, unloved and disrespected. Set up a few times during the week where the two of you can just talk. —Cindy Holbrook

18. Discuss what infidelity is to you with your spouse. One person may feel that being good friends with the opposite sex is okay, while to the other, it borders on infidelity. Emotional affairs begin with sharing intimate feelings, needs and challenges with a person, and it often leads to a sexual affair. If your spouse is uncomfortable with your friendship, be willing to end it. —Cindy Holbrook

19. Make daily habits that show your spouse that you love him. Habits include kissing each other regularly, holding hands, hugging, saying, "I love you" and cuddling in bed before you drift off to sleep. Another good habit is to give special gifts to your spouse periodically. This could be a note in his lunchbox, a card or surprising him by washing and waxing his car. —Cindy Holbrook

20. Always be honest with each other and ask for your spouse's advice. Honesty and trust go hand in hand. If you feel the need to hide things from your spouse, ask yourself why. This is a warning sign that something is amiss in your relationship. Tell him if an old flame contacts you on Facebook. Ask his opinion on how you should respond to the old flame. —Cindy Holbrook

21. Remain friends! The foundation of a good marriage is friendship. The only way to be friends with someone is to spend time with them. Besides having date nights, there are several things you can do together. Join an activity that you both enjoy such as golfing, fishing, bowling or hiking. Other ideas include taking long scenic drives, going on picnics, walking along the beach or just sitting on your porch watching the sunrise or sunset. —Cindy Holbrook

Want to learn more about infidelity? Tune in now through June 29 for the YourTango Experts intensive event, The Truth About Infidelity, featuring all kinds of advice and insights from our experts about cheating.