Posted by on Mar 20, 2020 in Articles & Advice, Blog, Books, Columns, Featured |

Image Credit: Giuseppe Arcimboldo, “Fire” (1566), Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

 

 

 

By Jason Zweig | March 19, 2020 7:00 am ET

 

It isn’t just your portfolio that’s getting pounded. You are, too.

Every financial asset is falling at once, and the economy itself seems to be imploding. All investors — individuals and professionals alike — need to understand the havoc this kind of stress wreaks on the human brain. To keep it from destroying your long-term investing plan, you will need to manage that stress and restore a sense of control.

A market crash is always scary, but this time the fear and panic of huge daily drops are compounded by the dread and uncertainty of a global pandemic. As the markets crash and the virus spreads, many of us are watching in unprecedented social isolation, unable to be with many of the friends and family who normally help us put events in perspective.

All of this is unleashing a storm of stress in our brains. Understanding it may help us calm it.

 

To read the rest of the column:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/this-is-your-brain-on-a-crashing-stock-market-11584615601

 

For further reading:

Books:

Benjamin Graham, The Intelligent Investor

Jason Zweig,The Devil’s Financial Dictionary

Jason Zweig, Your Money and Your Brain

Jason Zweig, The Little Book of Safe Money

 

Articles and other resources:

How to Control Your Fears In a Fearsome Market

When the Stock Market Plunges…Will You Be Brave or Will You Cave?

Fear

For Investors, Dealing With a Loss of Control

Stocks Are in Chaos. Control the One Thing You Can.