5 Stages of Change for Health Coaches to Know
1.PRECONTEMPLATION
no desire or awareness of need for change
"I drink a can of soda with every meal and have no intention to cut back."
2.CONTEMPLATION
weigh the pros & cons of change
"I know it would be good for my body if I cut back, but I like the taste of it."
3.PREPARATION
decide to change and form a plan
"I could swap my dinner soda for sparkling water."
Change is more sustainable when gradual. Set small goals and repeat the process until you reach your ultimate goal.
4.ACTION
follow through with plan for change
"Now I choose to drink sparkling water instead of soda with dinner."
Ideally, the habit becomes permanent and this process is no longer needed (termination).
5.MAINTENANCE
support habit by recognizing the benefits of change
"I sleep much better when I don't drink soda with dinner."
In most cases, the old habit re-emerges and the whole process begins again (relapse). Relapse is not failure, but normal. Progress is characterized by how many times you are willing to re-engage this process.
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References
Prochaska, J. O., & Velicer, W. F. (1997). The transtheoretical model of health behavior change. American journal of health promotion : AJHP, 12(1), 38–48. https://doi.org/10.4278/0890-1171-12.1.38 Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10170434/