* Georgia, 51 from Maidenhead, claims having an affair saved her from the emotional and physical neglect in her marriage, improving her mental health and confidence.
* A study by the UK’s largest extramarital dating site reveals that 81% of participants found their mental health improved after cheating.
* Sex and relationship expert at IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni reveals how over the past 20 years, the platform has helped people trapped in unfulfilling marriages find emotional and physical satisfaction.
In a society where loyalty in relationships is considered the highest virtue, Georgia*, 51, has boldly gone against the grain. After over 20 years of marriage and nearly a decade in a sexless relationship, she found a controversial but, in her words, life-saving solution – having an affair. And she’s not apologising for it.
Georgia, a mother of two grown children, says she had endured years of emotional and physical neglect in her marriage. “My husband and I grew apart over the years. He’s much older than me, and we slowly became more like housemates than a couple. We barely talk, and we’ve slept in separate bedrooms for as long as I can remember. This arrangement worked for a while, but after I turned 50, something shifted inside me.”
Feeling desperate and invisible in her own home, Georgia joined IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site where people in unhappy marriages seek connections outside their relationship. At first, she admits she thought she was just looking for physical satisfaction, but she soon realised her needs ran much deeper.
“Being in a sexless relationship for a decade affected my mental health. I was lonely, unseen, and unheard. I thought casual sex would fill the void, but it was emotional intimacy I craved too. When I met my lover through IllicitEncounters, everything changed. He noticed me. He made me feel alive again.”
The affair, Georgia says, was like an emotional life raft. “Having an affair has definitely improved my mental health. I was incredibly depressed before, often turning to alcohol and comfort foods to cope with my loneliness. But now, I feel validated. I have emotional intimacy, affection, and sex – all the things I was missing. I’m more forgiving of myself for acknowledging that I have needs, both physical and emotional.”
The positive impact of the affair on Georgia’s life has extended beyond the bedroom. Since beginning her secret romance, Georgia has cut back on drinking, started making healthier food choices, and even found the motivation to hit the gym. “My body shape has changed, my self-confidence has soared, and I love the way I feel about myself now. I no longer feel like I’m wasting my life.”
Georgia’s story is far from unique. In a recent poll conducted by IllicitEncounters.com involving 2,500 people, a staggering 81% of those who have had affairs said that cheating improved their mental health. For many, stepping outside their marriage wasn’t just about sexual fulfilment – it was about reclaiming a sense of self-worth and escaping the emotional isolation of an unhappy relationship.
Sex and relationships expert at IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni, commented on the study and Georgia’s story, “For over 20 years, IllicitEncounters has helped people trapped in unfulfilling marriages find emotional and physical satisfaction. The reality is that many individuals feel suffocated and unseen in their relationships. Having an affair, for some, is a way of seeking happiness and mental clarity. It can be an opportunity for personal growth, self-discovery, and even healing.”
Leoni goes on to explain that many users of the site view their affairs as an essential outlet to maintain their sanity in otherwise bleak circumstances. “The mental health benefits cannot be ignored. For some, having an affair is more effective than therapy or antidepressants in alleviating feelings of loneliness and depression. Not all affairs should be considered bad. In some cases they really are saving lives.”
Georgia doesn’t regret her decision to step outside her marriage. If anything, she’s more self-aware and in control of her own happiness than she’s been in years. “My affair opened my eyes to what I was missing, and it gave me the courage to focus on my well-being. It’s not just about sex – it’s about feeling valued and understood. I’m not sorry for it. In fact, I think more people in my situation should consider it.”
*Name has been changed
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