Meet the woman, 36, who believes infidelity is the secret to a long-lasting, happy marriage:

A single woman has revealed why she believes infidelity can help preserve a marriage and ensure couples enjoy lasting happiness together. 

Isabella Mise, from Toronto, is the Communications Director at Ashley Madison – a dating platform created for married people who want to have discreet affairs.

The 36-year-old told Daily Mail Australia members are looking to form connections with other like-minded people.

‘Monogamy works for a lot of people, but it doesn’t always work for everyone long term,’ Isabella said.

Isabella said Ashley Madison members usually feel happy in their marriage but seek something the relationship lacks.

Some are wanting to feel desired by someone new, while others are seeking an emotional connection rather than sexual pleasures. 

‘I’ve spoken to members who have been married for 20 years or people who married their high school sweethearts and haven’t slept with anyone else; no two marriages are the same,’ Isabella said.

‘I’ve slowly realised that infidelity is not always what you think and isn’t what you see in movies.’

Isabella said members usually feel happy in their marriage but seek something the relationship lacks. Some are wanting to feel desired by someone new, while others are seeking an emotional connection rather than sexual pleasures (pictured right: stock image)

Over the past two years, Covid lockdowns and restrictions have put relationships to the ultimate test. 

‘No one anticipated they would spend 24 hours with their significant other handling working from home, home schooling and living in such close quarters,’ Isabella said.

‘Affairs aren’t the key to happiness in a marriage, but an outlet for many couples or married people wanting to date again.

‘It can be a form of self-care – something people do for themselves that allows them to return to their primary relationship feeling less stressed or anxious.’

Research conducted by the dating website found the top places across Australia that are infidelity hotspots. Coffs Harbour in New South Wales was name the ‘hottest’ place full of married people likely to have an affair 

In a survey of 2,249 people during lockdown, married people reported feelings of boredom (49%), isolation and loneliness (30%), frustration and anger (29%), worry and fear (24%), and anxiety  (24%). 

A staggering 95 per cent were still interested in maintaining their affair at the start of lockdown. 

Interestingly 84 per cent also believed infidelity was a ‘reliable form of self-care’ as their overall mood improved. 

Only one per cent of website members see themselves leaving their spouse, and consider infidelity as the reasoning for this. 

Isabella said it’s important couples discuss their ‘monogamy agreements’ throughout their relationship to discuss how they intend two spend their lives together.

‘It’s all about thinking what being monogamous means to you and renewing your monogamy agreement over time,’ she said.

‘People usually say a vow on their wedding day then don’t reconsider the monogamy agreement 20 years later.

‘Things change, people change and it’s essential to evolve your relationship too.’

Isabella believes modern relationships are changing and both men and women cheat. 

‘Once you peel back the misconceptions, it can be completely reasonable to consider infidelity,’ Isabella said. 

‘So many people assume if you cheat it means you’re not happy in your relationship, but that isn’t the case. 

‘According to data from our members, men often look for emotional validation while women sometimes look for sex.’

What’s more, openly discussing your relationship with your partner should be handled with care but shouldn’t be avoided. 

It’s important to ensure both partners feel heard and their expectations are met.