What stage of behavior change involves maintaining a new behavior consistently for over 6 months?

The stage of behavior change that involves maintaining a new behavior consistently for over six months is the maintenance stage. This phase is crucial because it represents the point at which an individual has successfully integrated the new behavior into their life and is actively working to sustain their progress over time. During this stage, individuals develop strategies to prevent relapse, reinforce their commitment to the behavior change, and navigate potential challenges that might disrupt their newly adopted behaviors.

In the maintenance stage, the focus shifts from adopting new behaviors to ensuring they become a stable part of a person's lifestyle. This is essential for long-term success, as maintaining the changes is often more challenging than initiating them. Individuals may reflect on their progress, celebrate their achievements, and continue to build upon their successes to reinforce their ability to sustain the behavior over the long term.