Introduction: Panic or Peace – What’s Your Market Mood?
Imagine waking up, checking your phone, and seeing the headlines screaming:
“Markets Crash by 1,000 Points!”
Red arrows everywhere. Your portfolio? Down. Your heart rate? Up.
It’s natural to panic. But here’s the truth
Market crashes aren’t the end of your investment journey — they’re a test of your patience.
And if you’re investing through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP), you’re already playing a long game. One that favors you in the end.
So let’s breathe, sip some chai, and walk through how to stay cool when the markets aren’t.
Let’s Look at History — It Always Comes Back
Consider this:
| Market Event | Nifty Fall | Recovery Time |
| 2008 Crash | -60% | 2 years |
| 2020 Covid Crash | -40% | 6 months |
| 2022 Correction | -15% | 3 months |
Every single crash has been followed by a rally.
Every investor who stayed invested — won.
Those who panicked and exited — locked in losses.
As Howard Marks, the legendary investor and founder of Oaktree Capital, once said:
“Everything is cyclical. The greatest fortunes are made by investors who buy during the down cycle.”
And that’s exactly what SIP investors do — they keep investing through all cycles.
The Market is Like the Weather — It Changes, Always
Stock markets are like seasons.
Sometimes it’s sunny (bull market), sometimes it pours (bear market), and occasionally, you get a storm (crash).
But here’s the good part — every storm passes.
Over the last 20 years, India’s markets have seen:
- The 2008 Global Financial Crisis
- The 2020 Covid Crash
- Multiple elections, wars, inflation cycles, interest rate shocks…
And yet, Sensex has grown from ~3,000 in the early 2000s to over 70,000+ today.
Volatility is just noise. Growth is the story.
SIPs: Your Personal Shock Absorber
A SIP isn’t just a way to invest.
It’s your emotional seatbelt for the market rollercoaster.
Here’s why SIP investors win during crashes:
1. You Buy More When It’s Cheap
When markets fall, your SIP buys more units for the same amount.
That’s called Rupee Cost Averaging — a fancy term that simply means:
Buy low, gain more later.
2. You Avoid Panic Decisions
Because SIPs are automatic, you don’t have to “decide” whether to invest during a fall. You keep investing without emotion — which is exactly what smart investors do.
3. You Ride the Recovery
Most people panic and miss the bounce-back.
But SIP investors? They stay put — and catch the recovery wave when the market surges back.
Mind Over Market: How to Stay Mentally Calm During a Crash
Let’s face it: Watching your investments fall isn’t fun.
But staying calm isn’t just good advice — it’s a strategy.
Here’s how to train your mind for the long haul:
1. Don’t Stare at Your Portfolio Daily
Checking your investments every day during a crash is like watching a horror movie in slow motion.
Set a rule: No checking more than once a month.
2. Take a Break From Financial News
It’s designed to trigger panic.
Replace it with a podcast, a book, or some light music.
Remember: Bad news sells. That doesn’t mean your plan is failing.
3. Learn a New Hobby
Use the market downtime to invest in yourself.
- Take up yoga or meditation
- Start sketching or journaling
- Learn a new language or skill on an app
- Garden, cook, or go for walks
When your mind is occupied, your money stays safe.
A Real Story: The Calm Investor Who Won Big
Riya, a 29-year-old marketing professional, started a ₹5,000 SIP in 2017.
In March 2020, the market fell 40%. Her ₹2 lakh portfolio dropped to ₹1.2 lakh.
Her friends panicked. Some stopped SIPs. Some sold.
Riya did nothing — except continue her SIPs and started baking at home to de-stress.
Fast forward to 2022 — her portfolio grew to ₹3.7 lakh.
Today, it’s touching ₹5.2 lakh — all because she stayed calm and consistent.
Moral of the story?
Markets fall. SIPs rise. Patience pays.
Final Tips for SIP Investors During Market Crashes
Here’s your calm-market-survival guide:
Continue your SIP — don’t pause it
Don’t let headlines dictate your emotions
Use crashes to invest more, not less
Avoid comparing your portfolio with others
Do something non-financial every day
Trust the process, trust time
Conclusion: When Others Panic, You Stay Planted
Markets are like waves — they rise, fall, and rise again.
Your SIP is the boat that keeps sailing, no matter the tide.
In the short term, volatility feels like chaos.
But in the long term, it’s just noise.
So next time the markets crash, ask yourself:
“Am I here for the headlines or the horizon?”
Let others panic. You — breathe, focus, and stay the course.
Because in the end, it’s the calm, consistent SIP investor who always wins.
Team Anupam Wealth
Helping you grow wealth — one SIP at a time.