Without realising it, someone can slip into an extramarital affair. First of all, let me say that no one wants to be involved in an affair intentionally - unless you have little morals or conscience of course.

There are always patterns and signs - the same one over and over again to supposedly show warning signs you're about to be involved. However, these signs are sometimes too easy to be overlooked and therefore many people don't even believe it's there until they're stuck in the emotional rut.

And when it's realised, it has become too hard to get out - it can't be done without somebody getting hurt. So how would you know if you are slipping into an extramarital affair? Read on to find out.

The first stage of an affair is a friendly one. Someone become friends with someone else other than their spouse because of similar interests or hobby. This can happen anywhere including the workplace or social groups you belong to. At this stage attraction may or may not yet exist and therefore is probably still harmless.

When a friendship that has formed moves into a closer friendship that's when the first sign of emotional affair comes to surface. More stories will be shared and before you know it, intimate stories including problems with your spouse will also be included in your conversation topic with your so-called close friend.

Now before we go any further, realise that a close friend - no matter how close is not your spouse. I can bet again that this friend has not had a chance to show most of his/her bad habits and behaviour; and to be honest you know this person mostly based on his/her words rather than action.

He or she may give you personal opinions offering resolutions to your problems - mind you these resolution sounds good to your ear.

Before you know it, you start comparing your spouse with your friend - and this is starting to get dangerous. You may already be emotionally involved with your friend to some degree - but of course you still have your conscience and extramarital affair may still be out of the picture.

The last stage of this 'dangerous zone' is when you start sharing deep emotional heart-to-heart stuff. This definitely leads to a deeper emotional affair where you start feeling understood, feeling close to the other person. You will feel loved and starting from there, you may start wondering what it would be like to have a spouse just like this friend of yours.

Logic and conscience start flying out the window, being replaced by the feeling of 'maybe there IS such a thing as the perfect soul mate in this life'. Add this to an excitement that an affair can offer and you will VERY soon begin your extramarital affair journey.

Before long, given a good atmosphere somebody will cross the physical line with a kiss or even the hand holding. If the situation permits this may lead to a sexual act - and yes it is a hundred times worse than a one-night-stand as it involves deep emotional intimacy.

You cannot get out...

No, you can! Now I can tell you that extramarital affairs do NOT just naturally happen without any signs. You can choose to see them, or choose to overlook those signs - by trying to convince yourself that nothing is going on between you and your friend. You have control from the start and knowing these signs will arm you with logic to stop you from getting too deep into the affair.

Remember though, no matter how much you are armed everyone is vulnerable of falling into this emotional rut. Do not overestimate yourself as even you - yes YOU - are just as vulnerable to this as anyone else. Do not think that 'it will never happen between us' as you don't know what your emotions are capable of.

Be aware of boundaries and pay close attention to these signs - don't let it override your emotions.