The last eighteen months have been some of the most challenging that any of us have faced. Spending weeks at a time under stay-at-home orders, there is no doubt that many have felt the brunt of the pandemic in some way or another.
At the same time, it is worth recognising the undue stress put onto families and couples during this time. Forced to spend countless hours together, there are undoubtedly some relationships that fell victim to the effects of the pandemic.
With it estimated that law firms experienced a 95 percent increase in enquiries for divorces throughout the pandemic, questions surrounding the number of affairs that occurred might also be forming.
Read on to discover an insight into why affairs have been on the rise in the post lockdown world.
Increased Interest in Exploring Other Avenues
For some, the idea of an extramarital affair might appear like something you see on the silver screens. For others, this is something that creates feelings of excitement and thrill. Many people talk positively about affairs, explaining they are the reason they have stayed married.
Sign-ups to married dating and hook-up sites increased exponentially throughout the initial few weeks of lockdown in the UK. These numbers have remained high throughout recent months, with online organisations like Married Affairs noting an uptake in users.
At the same time, it has been noted that some of those users who have signed to these sites have done so as a means of talking to someone else rather than talking to a familiar face. The reasons for this decision can vary far and wide, but this takes us to the following section.
Boredom and Feelings of Disinterest
Following an extensive time period when people spent hours at a time within the same four walls, there will undoubtedly be some people eager to get back out into the dating scene. Feelings of boredom have crept into previously happy marriages and highlighted cracks that might have been overlooked.
While you might not have intended to experience these feelings, you will begin to notice things you once overlooked when spending masses of time with someone. Some people manage to overcome these obstacles without any intervention, while others might look for fun elsewhere, beyond the parameters of their marriage.
Add into the equation the easing of all Coronavirus restrictions in recent weeks across all four nations in the UK. You can recognise the desire and excitement about getting out there and meeting up with people once more.
However, physical dating is not the only means for exploring avenues outside of your marriage. Virtual dating has also seen an increase throughout the pandemic.
Online Dating vs. In-Person Dating
Virtual dating is not a new concept. Following the trends of new technology emerging, virtual dating has been around for quite some time. It has merely been used more in recent months due to the pandemic; where else were people expected to turn?
While virtual dating has its benefits, it is crucial to remember you take precautionary measures to remain safe online; meeting your date in a public place is always recommended. Virtual dating provides a level of escapism for the person partaking in it, which could explain why there has been an increase throughout lockdown and beyond.
If a spouse is bored of their marriage, the online dating world can fill this gap with exciting and thrilling conversations and more. While that is not to say that every marriage will be going through something like this, but there are undoubtedly a great deal who are.
