What does maintenance involve in the stage of change model?

In the stage of change model, maintenance is a crucial phase that focuses on the sustained effort to uphold new behaviors over an extended period. This stage comes after an individual has successfully implemented changes in their behavior and is now working to ensure that these changes are lasting. It emphasizes the importance of integrating new habits into daily life and actively preventing relapse into previous behaviors.

During maintenance, individuals utilize various strategies to support their ongoing commitment to the changes they have made. This might involve continued support from peers or professionals, ongoing self-monitoring, and reinforcement of the benefits gained from the new behaviors. By successfully navigating this stage, individuals can solidify their gains and enhance their overall well-being, ensuring that the effort put into change does not diminish over time.