Maintenance ("monitoring")

People have been able to sustain action for at least six months and are working to prevent relapse.

It is important for people in this stage to be aware of situations that may tempt them to slip back into doing the unhealthy behavior—particularly stressful situations.

It is recommended that people in this stage seek support from and talk with people whom they trust, spend time with people who behave in healthy ways, and remember to engage in healthy activities (such as exercise and deep relaxation) to cope with stress instead of relying on unhealthy behavior.

Achieving a long-term behavior change often requires ongoing support from family members, a health coach, a physician, or another motivational source.

Supportive literature and other resources can also be helpful to avoid a relapse from happening.