The last five months have been fraught with turbulence from an investment perspective. And at the end of last week, the S&P500 the index finally dipped into bearish territory after weeks of steady declines.

That’s enough to shake even the most seasoned and weighted investor. But if you want to get through this tough time, you better take the advice of investment giant Warren Buffett.

Just walk away

The current stock market slump is not the first of its kind that investors have had to endure. The market has been through many periods of steep declines, and while many investors today have experienced a bear market before, that doesn’t necessarily make management any easier.

But if you want to increase your chances of emerging from this bear market unscathed, Warren Buffett says your best bet is to simply walk away. More specifically, he advises investors do not watch the market too closely during times like this.

Buffett insists that investors who stock up on quality stocks and hold them for many years will come out on top in the long run. So while things may look bleak right now, it’s important to remember that in the grand scheme of a 30, 40, or 50 year investing career, today’s bear market could end up be a non-event.

In fact, the best thing to do during a bear market is to avoid selling stocks when their value is falling. If you do, you will only guarantee yourself the losses. If you leave your portfolio alone, chances are it will recover over time.

But the more you check your portfolio, the more you might be shaken up – and the more likely you might be to make a rash decision that results in unnecessary losses. That’s why it’s worth heeding Buffett’s advice and just walking away.

Take the chance

If you can’t stand the thought of seeing large losses in your portfolio during a stock market decline, don’t check your portfolio. It’s so simple.

That said, if you’re sitting on a pile of cash that you don’t need for short-term bills or emergencies, it might pay off to take advantage of current market conditions by buying stocks at a relatively low price. . If you already own a number of companies that you believe in the long-term prospects, these are the stocks to keep buying during a bear market.

Another option? Stock up on broad index funds. This way, you’ll get instant diversification and you won’t have to think so much about your investment decisions.

Warren Buffett has long insisted that broad index funds are a great choice for the average investor who is willing to sit back and let a portfolio grow in value over time. So loading on S&P 500 index funds is a good bet right now.

Keep calm

It is natural to worry when the value of stocks drops significantly. But if your stress level is currently at an all-time high, do yourself a favor and walk away.

Checking your portfolio daily when it’s down can only cause you undue anxiety. If you need a way to channel your energy, play a sport that will let you off steam, or strap on your running shoes and hit a local trail. But don’t spend night after night checking your wallet. If you don’t leave, you might end up making a fear-driven decision that turns those onscreen losses into real losses.