It's normal to want to get rid of negative thoughts. After all, they are at best uncomfortable, and at worst painful. You imagine you'll be better off without them. Nonetheless, each unwanted thought exists for a reason and says something about you. Uncover the gems hidden in disparaging self-talk and you will recognize the wisdom that can help you grow.

Why negative thoughts exist

No one, not even a spiritual leader, is free of negativity. Negative thoughts are part of life, and they occur for good reasons. They tell you when to change tack or keep going in the same direction, so you know what to avoid or move toward.

Critical self-talk arises from familiar discomfort, and it doesn't cause your unease. It reflects what goes on inside you. If you get rid of it, your disquiet will still exist.

For example, you might be upset if it's not your turn to put the trash out, but your partner's left you with the task and gone out. Self-talk triggered by the event will echo what you already feel. If you have low self-esteem, it might say your partner doesn't care about you. Then again, if you have healthy self-esteem, it may say your partner was just forgetful. How you view what happens, which is summed up by your thoughts, says more about your frame of mind and beliefs than anything else.

The essence of negative thoughts

Maybe you've contemplated how terrific it would be to have a personal guide, like a genie, someone who works entirely on your behalf to improve your wellbeing. The idea isn't as outlandish or magical as you imagine. You have an inner guide: your internal voice.

When you fight negative thoughts, you stop self-understanding. You don't give yourself the chance to learn. Negative thoughts let you know where you are, so you can check your location against your preferred destination. Your internal voice mirrors your emotions and perspectives, but don't take its words literally.

Rather than take negative self-talk to heart, recognize it highlights your fear. It may show your self-worth is low. As such, the sight of the trash still in the kitchen bin instead of outside ready for collection, triggers your anxiety. Once you know the underlying emotion, you can trace it to its origins.

How to understand your negativity

Negative thoughts often come from beliefs formed in childhood. If a parent abandoned you, for instance, or was unkind, you might not believe you are lovable. Familiar feelings of shame, fear, and pain swim to the surface of consciousness when circumstances push your buttons.

If they resemble the original events at the bottom of your psyche, even to a modest degree, you'll experience anxiety. Then negative thoughts to explain what's occurred rise. Your mind creates a story for you to decipher, and its intention is to help you resolve issues.

Look behind negative thoughts. Treat them as paths to unresolved traumas. Sit quietly, figure out their origins, and acknowledge your fears related to the past. Now you can view your history with fresh eyes and let current knowledge help you manage. You might note misconceptions, and can come to terms with events and let them go.

When you uncover the hidden reasons for negative thoughts, you learn about yourself and what makes you react as you do. You gain clarity and emotional intelligence that helps you deal with life's challenges with less anxiety.

If you're confined to your home due to an enforced lockdown, such as in the Covid-19 pandemic, don't succumb to feelings of gloom and doom. A positive, upbeat approach is much more helpful in such a situation, both for yourself and for those around you. By staying calm and cheerful yourself, you can inspire your family, friends and neighbours to follow suit and pull together through your shared challenge. You can go further, too, with the help of social media, and support others around the world who may be affected. This noble, empowering role will be ready and waiting for you, so here are some bright ideas to start you off when need arises.

Phone around

Keep your phone charged up and in credit, and phone around all your friends, relatives and other contacts. Check they're all safe and well, and encourage them to open up and share any concerns they have. Getting worries off their chest will help them relax afterwards. You can share your own concerns, too, and benefit from your friends' support likewise. Make a commitment to repeat the phone-around every week, or however often you judge to be mutually beneficial, until the lockdown is over.

Show your face

Go to your window, door or balcony on a regular basis, and let your neighbors see you. Perhaps phone a few of them first to let them know you'll be there, and ask them to spread the word. When you're ready, wave a flag or bang a kitchen pan to attract everyone's attention and encourage them to show themselves, too. It's heartening to see your fellow human beings, even at a distance, when contact is restricted.

 Tap on walls

 Arrange with your next door neighbors to exchange regular taps on the wall, floor or ceiling, depending where they're situated. This will provide reassuring contact and companionship for all concerned. Perhaps agree a code, such as three taps to say all is well and six to say there's a problem. This will enable you to monitor each other's health and well-being, and to offer support, should an issue arise.

 Send messages online

Make use of your social media accounts to reach out to the wider community. With cheerful, positive messages, you can help people everywhere to stay strong, like you. Your efforts will be rewarded with expressions of warmth and gratitude, and your own spirits will be raised by the wonderful camaraderie you've generated.

 Publish entertaining videos

If you like using your camera, take some photos or videos to amuse your online followers. Focus on topics that interest you, such as cooking, nature and pets perhaps. Catch moments of charm, wonder or humor that viewers will enjoy, too, and add witty captions as you go.  You'll find this project fun and absorbing, and your fellow lockdown victims will appreciate them, too. Be sure to admire their offerings as well, and encourage comradely interaction at this difficult time.

 Offer jokes and humor

Get your social media followers chuckling by posting jokes and funny anecdotes. Rack your brains for old jokes and stories from your schooldays, or select some from the Internet. Then maybe add in some comic rhymes, silly songs and crazy cartoons.  Display the most popular posts on your windows or door, for your neighbors to enjoy as well. You may spot some jokes appearing on the buildings around you soon after, as people respond with their own contributions. Simple gestures like these can spark a whirl of community fun, helping everyone stay calm and positive.

Share music, art and poetry

If you have a creative talent, share it with your family and neighbors, and give them a cultural treat. If you can sing or play an instrument, for instance, you can perform a little concert on your doorstep or balcony, and post a recording of it online for your wider circle. If art is your forte, perhaps draw a giant picture and display it in your window, or if you're a comedian, perform some simple gigs or sketches. Encourage your audience to follow suit with their own little party pieces.

There are all sorts of ways to keep up your own spirits and everyone else's, too, during a period of lockdown. Every smile and wave will boost that precious camaraderie, and if you get a down moment yourself, you can take heart from the positivity you've inspired. That's the magic of community morale: everyone helps each other. 

When most people hear the phrase borderline personality disorder, they have automatic and immediate assumptions about the person being referenced. Oftentimes, these assumptions are wholly untrue and based on rumors and misconceptions. And these misconceptions can be hurtful and problematic for people that do live with borderline personality disorder.

Borderline personality disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, identity issues, feelings of emptiness, and more. However, a clinical description can only tell you so much about the disorder. Here are some things people with borderline personality disorder wish you knew.

Borderline Personality Disorder Does Not Mean You Are Evil

Many people immediately think that a person with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are evil somehow. They assume they are heartless and self-centered, basically a psychopath. However, this is not the case at all.

The reality is that most people with BPD are highly empathetic and caring. In fact, part of the problem can be that they are too empathetic. If you are empathetic towards others, it is next to impossible to be evil.

Having Borderline Personality Disorder Does Not Make You Manipulative

There is another assumption out there that people with BPD are extremely manipulative and will do anything to get their way. The problem is that this is based on a misunderstanding of the symptoms of BPD.

When a person is having a BPD episode, they may become extremely emotional. This can mean that they get sad and cry or get angry and scream. They might go silent or might become very loud and dominating in conversation.

A person who is in a BPD episode may also threaten self-harm or suicide or take such actions. These people are not doing any of these things to be manipulative. They are suffering. Their emotions are out of their control. Manipulation is not necessarily a part of BPD at all.

People with Borderline Personality Disorder Can Have Good Relationships

Many people shy away from having relationships with someone when they find out they have BPD. There is a horrible misconception that people with BPD cannot have good or healthy relationships, but people with BPD can have strong connections and relationships just like anybody else.

Borderline Personality Disorder Doesn't Make You Dangerous

Emotional volatility and being dangerous are not the same thing. A person with BPD is not dangerous because of their mental health disorder.

You do not have to fear a person just because you find out they have BPD. You probably already know people with the condition that function normally, have never shown any signs of problems or being dangerous. And, they never will.

Borderline Personality Disorder Can Be Treated

Finally, perhaps the most damaging misconception out there about BPD is that it is a condition that cannot be treated. This is not true. The difference between personality disorders and other mental health disorders is that there are no medications designed specifically to treat the condition as a whole. 

Instead, medications for BPD and other personality disorders address symptoms of the disorder like depression or anxiety. The main treatment for these conditions is therapy, and it is highly effective.

Now that you know just a few of the facts that people with borderline personality disorder wish you knew, you can be sure you are supportive of anyone in your life that has this mental health disorder.

 It's normal to feel overwhelming stress and anxiety amidst a pandemic. Financial fears mixed with the discomfort of being isolated at home can be crippling, which is why it is important that you take time to manage your stress during this crisis. Do not allow anxiety to take over your life. There are steps you can take to mitigate your daily stress.

Meditation  
Meditation can be a critical tool in managing your stress levels. You don't need to be experienced with meditation in order to reap the benefits. Even a beginner can limit their anxiety immediately by using simple guided meditation. Look up guided meditation online or download an app to your phone. An easy ten minute guided meditation will put you at ease. And thankfully, you can utilize meditation as often as you need throughout the day. You can meditate frequently in order to successfully manage your stress. 

Therapy
Although during a pandemic you may not be able to go see your therapist in person, you can engage in therapy through the phone or video conference. Email your therapist to find out how you can stay in touch during this stressful time. Most therapy offices have already started setting up virtual appointments with their patients. Being isolated at home alone does not mean you cannot get the therapy you need. 

Socialize 
Social distancing doesn't have to mean no socializing. It is vital that you use your time in isolation to reach out to the people you love most. Make phone calls, send text messages, create a group chat with your friends. You will need a support system to manage your stress. Don't be afraid to reach out to your group of friends and vent about what is going on in your life. It's very likely your friends and family are just as stressed out as you. Lean on each other as you and your loved ones navigate this difficult time. 

Exercise
Exercise is key in keeping your stress controlled. If you are sitting at home all day without a physical outlet for your anxiety, your mental health will deteriorate. You may not be able to go to the gym but that doesn't mean you cannot work out. There are many guided exercise videos online. Find an exercise routine that fits your skill level and make it a goal to work out every day. Exercising releases endorphins which keep you happy. Not only will it be easier to control your stress when you're exercising regularly, you will also boost your immune system. It is more important than ever to maintain your physical health.  

You cannot cure your stress, but it is possible to manage it. Make sure that you are taking the necessary steps to lower your stress levels. It is extremely important to manage your stress during the outbreak of a contagious virus as stress can lower your immune response.