Psychologist says lots of us are ‘micro-cheating’ in our relationships – but what is it?

Are you guilty of it?

Or ever get the feeling that your other half isn't as committed as you are? An Australian psychologist has described a new term which she says is happening in many relationships. Melanie Schilling, an Australian psychologist, believes that 'micro-cheating' involves seemingly trivial behaviours which suggest that someone is emotionally or physically involved with another person outside of their relationship. "You might be engaging in micro-cheating if you secretly connect with another person on social media, if you share private jokes, if you downplay the seriousness of your relationship to your partner or if you enter their name under a code in your phone," she told the Daily Mail.

"These are all signs that you are conducting a 'covert flirtation' and keeping it from your partner. If you feel you have something to hide - ask yourself why."

In other words, it's an emotional affair with another person outside of your relationship, and apparently, a lot of people are guilty of it.

"It's the secrecy and deception that accompanies the communication that defines it as micro-cheating," Schilling said.

Micro-cheating follows other dating trends like 'phubbing', 'firedooring' and 'submarining'. Why does dating have to be so bloody complicated, huh?