15 Tips on How to Regain Trust in a Relationship After Cheating

Infidelity is one of the worst things to happen in a marriage. And it might take a lot of time for the victim to heal from the scars of infidelity.

If your spouse has cheated on you, it can be a grueling process to regain trust in your partner. But, at the same time, you need to remember that infidelity doesn’t have to necessarily mark the end of your marriage.

So, can a relationship go back to normal after cheating?

Yes, it can!

Without a doubt, cheating is a serious violation of the marriage vows. A lot of marriages dealing with infidelity face a divorce. 

Well, if you feel there is still scope for reconciliation, you can regain trust in your partner and rebuild a relationship after cheating, by all means. So, the next question that arises is, how to regain trust in a relationship after cheating?

Here is given a few essential pieces of advice to save a marriage after infidelity and lies. The tips given in this article can effectively help you in gaining trust back after cheating.

How to regain trust in a relationship after cheating: 15 ways

If you have truly loved your spouse at some point in time, you might be willing to invest all the time and energy that you have to regain trust in your partner.

Remember that time is the best healer. Although you might not believe it now, if you and your spouse are willing to make your marriage work, it is possible to rebuild trust after an affair.

It is possible to have a healthy relationship after cheating. Yes, your relationship can turn out to be stronger than before!

So, here are a few tips that you must remember in order to regain trust in your partner.

1. Have an open and honest communication

As stated earlier, try to understand why your partner resorted to infidelity. Try your best to resolve the differences that you have. And slowly try to move ahead in life without turning back to dig out the hurtful past.

Related Reading: Open Communication In a Relationship: How to Make it Work

2. Take time

Even if you have decided to stick to your marriage, take time to heal from the hurt that your partner has caused you. Don’t expect God to spin any magic. Keep your faith alive, and slowly build up your relationship on a strong foundation of trust and love.

3. Avoid keeping secrets in your marriage anymore

To regain trust in your partner, both you and your partner must agree to maintain transparency in your marriage hereafter. Marriage is a union of two souls. And both of you must make every possible effort to go about the journey of life together.

4. Spend quality time with your spouse

Now that you have initiated the process to regain trust in your partner let bygones be bygones! 

Quality time together is important when one is trying to figure out how to regain someone’s trust.

Spend some good time with your spouse whenever you can. Try to go on a casual dinner outing or go for an evening walk together.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure that you don’t ruminate over the painful memories. Count your blessings and talk about the good things in life.

Make sure to build up good memories to reminisce henceforth that help you to erase the distressing memories.

Watch the video given below to regain trust in your partner after an affair.

Try to remember these simple yet useful tips to move forward in a relationship after cheating. Remember that healing after your partner cheats is difficult but not impossible. 

Whenever you think of ‘how to regain trust in a relationship after cheating’, think about more ways of connecting with your partner.

Keep your unwavering faith in God and relationship intact, and keep doing the needful to fix a relationship after cheating. Also, do not shy away from seeking help or therapy to deal with infidelity issues.

If you make an honest effort, there is a good possibility that you will regain trust in your partner, and save your marriage.

5. Allow yourself to feel

Before you work on how to regain trust after cheating, work on your emotions. 

It is important to allow yourself to feel the full range of emotions that come with being betrayed. Acknowledge your feelings and express them in a healthy way. Do not suppress your emotions as this can be detrimental to the healing process.

6. Seek support

Surround yourself with a support system that you trust, such as close friends, family, or a therapist. Having a support system can provide you with the emotional support and guidance you need during this difficult time.

7. Ask questions

Trusting your partner after cheating is a task and you must engage in difficult situations for it.

Ask your spouse questions about the affair, such as when it started, how long it lasted, and why it happened. This information can help you understand the situation and begin the healing process.

8. Listen without judgment

Listen to your spouse’s perspective without judging or interrupting. This can help you both work towards a common understanding of what happened and what needs to be done to move forward.

9. Set boundaries

How to rebuild trust after cheating? Demarcate healthy boundaries.

Establish clear boundaries for what is and is not acceptable in your relationship moving forward. This can help rebuild trust and create a foundation for a healthier relationship.

10. Be honest

Honesty is crucial in rebuilding trust. Your spouse needs to be honest about what happened, why it happened, and what they are doing to prevent it from happening again.

11. Show empathy

Show your spouse that you understand the pain and hurt they have caused. Listen to their feelings without getting defensive or dismissive.

12. Be patient

Rebuilding trust after infidelity demands patience. 

Regaining trust takes time. Do not expect your spouse to earn your trust back overnight. Be patient and show your commitment to making things right over the long term.

Related Reading: 15 Ways to Have More Patience in a Relationship

13. Practice forgiveness

Forgiveness is a process that takes time and effort. Practice forgiveness by letting go of anger and resentment towards your spouse. This does not mean forgetting what happened but rather choosing to move forward without holding onto negative feelings.

14. Seek professional help

Consider seeking the help of a therapist or counselor to work through the issues in your relationship. A neutral third party can help you both communicate more effectively and work through your feelings.

15. Make changes

Your spouse needs to show that they are committed to changing their behavior. Take concrete steps to prevent cheating from happening again, such as ending contact with the person they cheated with or seeking help for any underlying issues.

How long does it take to build trust after cheating?

The time it takes to rebuild trust after cheating varies from person to person and depends on the specific circumstances of the infidelity. It can take weeks, months, or even years to fully regain trust in a relationship. 

Both partners need to be willing to put in the effort to rebuild trust, communicate openly, and work through any issues that may arise. Trust is not easily earned back and it requires consistent and ongoing effort to maintain.

Related Reading: 6 Tips on How to Heal a Relationship After Cheating

How to stop overthinking after being cheated on: 5 effective ways

Being cheated on can be a traumatic and emotionally devastating experience that can lead to persistent overthinking. It can cause feelings of insecurity, self-doubt, and anxiety. 

Overthinking can be a major obstacle in the healing process and can make it difficult to move forward in a healthy way. Here are five ways to stop overthinking after being cheated on:

1. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is a technique that involves being present at the moment and focusing on your thoughts and emotions without judgment. It can help you become more aware of your thought patterns and break the cycle of overthinking. 

Mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga can help you stay centered and calm.

2. Challenge negative thoughts

Overthinking often involves negative self-talk and catastrophic thinking. It can be helpful to challenge these thoughts by asking yourself if they are based on reality or if they are distorted by your emotions. 

Consider the evidence and question whether your thoughts are helpful or harmful. Try to focus on positive affirmations and self-talk.

3. Set boundaries

Setting boundaries can be an effective way to reduce overthinking. Establish clear boundaries with your partner or anyone who may trigger your overthinking. This can help you feel more in control of your thoughts and emotions.

4. Seek support

Surround yourself with a support system that you trust, such as close friends, family, or a therapist. Having someone to talk to can provide you with the emotional support and guidance you need during this difficult time. 

It can be helpful to talk to someone who has experienced a similar situation and can understand what you are going through.

5. Engage in self-care

Taking care of yourself is crucial in the healing process and regaining trust after cheating. Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as exercise, spending time in nature, or creative pursuits. Treat yourself with compassion and kindness, and focus on building a strong sense of self-worth.

It is important to remember that healing from being cheated on is a process that takes time. Be patient with yourself and acknowledge that overthinking is a natural response to trauma. 

By practicing mindfulness, challenging negative thoughts, setting boundaries, seeking support, and engaging in self-care, you can begin to break the cycle of overthinking and move forward in a positive way.

It can also be helpful to work through any underlying emotional issues that may be contributing to your overthinking. Consider seeking the help of a therapist or counselor who can provide you with the tools and guidance you need to work through these issues.

Commonly asked questions

Read our next section on frequently asked questions dealing with scenarios from the life after infidelity in a relationship. 

Can you regain trust after cheating?

It is possible to regain trust after cheating, but it takes time, effort, and a willingness to work through the underlying issues that led to the infidelity. 

Both partners need to be committed to rebuilding the relationship and be willing to communicate openly, address any issues that arise, and work towards rebuilding trust. 

It may not be easy, and it will require a lot of hard work and effort, but with the right mindset and support, it is possible to regain trust and rebuild a healthy and loving relationship.

Does infidelity pain ever go away?

The pain of infidelity can be intense and long-lasting, but with time and effort, it is possible to heal and move forward. The intensity and duration of the pain will vary from person to person, depending on the circumstances and the individual’s ability to cope. 

While the pain may never completely go away, it can be managed and minimized through self-care, support from loved ones, therapy, and a commitment to working through the underlying issues that contributed to the infidelity. 

With time, healing, and a renewed sense of trust and connection, it is possible to find happiness and love again.

Learn about the two stages of infidelity pain in this video:

What percentage of relationships work after cheating?

It is difficult to determine the exact percentage of relationships that work after cheating, as it depends on various factors such as the severity of the infidelity, the willingness of both partners to work on the relationship, and the level of trust that can be rebuilt. 

However, studies suggest that the majority of relationships do not survive infidelity, with estimates ranging from 20% to 50% of couples staying together after one partner cheats. The road to recovery after cheating can be long and challenging, requiring open communication, forgiveness, and a commitment to rebuilding trust.

Hope and effort will make it happen

Regaining trust after your spouse has cheated on you is a difficult and painful process. It requires a lot of work and commitment from both partners. 

It is important to allow yourself to feel your emotions, seek support, communicate openly, and establish clear boundaries. While your spouse needs to be honest, show empathy, be patient, practice forgiveness, and make changes. 

Keep doing the needful to fix a relationship after cheating. Also, do not shy away from seeking help or couples therapy to deal with infidelity issues.

If you make an honest effort, there is a good possibility that you regain trust in your partner, and save your marriage.