This is a sutta to listen to. In this sutta the Buddha explains what are unwholesome states.SN 45.22 | B. Bodhi wrote: At Savatthī. “Bhikkhus, I will teach you unwholesome states and wholesome states. Listen to that….
“And what, bhikkhus, are unwholesome states? They are: wrong view … wrong concentration. These are called unwholesome states.
“And what, bhikkhus, are wholesome states? They are: right view … right concentration. These are called wholesome states.”
It seems that whenever we have wrong view, that's an unwhole state. Whenever we have wrong intentions, those are unwholesome states. Whenever we are engaged in wrong speech, this is an unwholesome state too. Wrong actions? Wrong livelihood? Those are unwholesome states. Whenever we are engaged in wrong effort, wrong mindfulness and wrong concentration these are also unwholesome states.
And what do we do about them? You may agree that the answer is we exert right effort.
SN 45.8 | B. Bodhi wrote: ... Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu generates desire for the nonarising of unarisen evil unwholesome states; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives. He generates desire for the abandoning of arisen evil unwholesome states[; he makes an effort, arouses energy, applies his mind, and strives]….