"Breaks must be done with clear rules and for the right reasons," says Spector. A break is not the answer if you are just too afraid to end the relationship, definitely know you want to see other people, or are seeking to punish your partner for whatever reason. In those cases, you should be upfront with your partner about how you're feeling—it's likely you need a more permanent fix to your problem.

For example, if you want to take a break so you can admonish your partner for infidelity, you might want to think twice, says Jenni Skyler, PhD, an AASECT certified sex therapist, sexologist, and Director of The Intimacy Institute. "I think there’s a lot the couple needs to work through together at that time. It’s a hard period for the couple, but if you take a break at this point, you’re almost ensuring divorce or separation," she explains.

In short, you’re running away from your problems instead of addressing them head on. TL;DR, instead of seeking ways to be apart after cheating, couples should reconnect—whether that’s through couples therapy or talking through the relationship’s issues one-on-one, Skyler notes.