Which stage of the Transtheoretical Model is characterized by maintaining a healthy lifestyle for at least six months?

The Maintenance stage of the Transtheoretical Model is focused on sustaining a behavior change over time, specifically for at least six months. At this point, individuals have successfully adopted a new healthy behavior and are working to prevent relapse. The focus is on reinforcing the commitment to the behavior to ensure it becomes a sustained part of their lifestyle.

Individuals in this stage typically have developed strategies to overcome potential challenges and are more confident in their ability to maintain the change. They may feel a sense of empowerment due to the positive changes in their life, and this reinforces their motivation to continue their healthy behaviors.

This stage is critical because it's not just about making a change, but also about maintaining it. It involves developing new habits and routines that support a healthy lifestyle long-term, which distinguishes it from earlier stages like Action, where individuals are still working on implementing the change actively.