When the market takes a turn, even the most disciplined investors can feel that familiar knot in their stomach. Maybe it starts with a headline, or a quick glance at your portfolio, then suddenly, your heart rate picks up and your confidence wavers. What if this time really is different? 

That reaction is normal. In fact, it’s hardwired. Our brains don’t distinguish between a bear market and a bear in the woods. Uncertainty triggers the same fight-or-flight response. That’s why times of market disruption, especially when they’re accompanied by 24/7 media coverage, can feel so destabilizing. While the instinct to do something might feel right in the moment, it often leads to decisions that hurt more than they help. By understanding the psychological forces at play, you can learn to manage your reactions, make better investment decisions, and find calm amid the fluctuations. 

Financial Media: Information or Instigator? 

One of

Keep reading this article on Retirement Searcher, Wade Pfau - Blog.

Leave a Reply