Turn Down the Noise, Turn Up the Music

It’s hard to believe that just a few months ago, markets were off to a roaring start. Back in January, the S&P 500 was hitting fresh highs and inflation looked to be under control. Many were optimistic that with a business-friendly administration in office, the market would keep climbing.

Fast forward to today, and things feel… different.

President Trump just passed his first 100 days in the White House (on his second term) on April 30, 2025, but for many of us, it already feels like four years' worth of headlines. We’ve seen policy shakeups, layoffs, tariffs, entire departments restructured – and the markets have responded in kind.  As of April 25th, the S&P 500 had dropped about 10% from its peak.

So, what do we do with all this?

Here’s our advice: Turn off the news. Turn on some music.

The 24-hour news cycle, endless push notifications, and constant posts on “Truth Social” (or whatever platform is dominating the headlines this week) aren’t doing us any favours – financially or emotionally. It’s easy to get caught up in the noise, but the truth is, much of it is beyond our control.

And it’s not just annoying – it’s unhealthy.

Several studies have examined the toll that market volatility can take on our health. One Taiwanese study, “Stock or Stroke?”, found a direct link between falling markets and increased incidence of strokes, especially among those aged 45 and older. A Chinese study found that even in bull markets, turbulence and constant exposure to financial headlines can increase anxiety disorders.

At the heart of this is cortisol, a hormone your body produces during moments of stress and uncertainty – like wild swings in the stock market. Cortisol is useful in fight-or-flight situations, but when it's chronically elevated, it can suppress your immune system and make you more susceptible to illness. In short: being stressed about the markets can quite literally make you sick.

So, what’s the solution?

Perspective. Patience. And a long-term plan.

We talked about this in a recent Mah Mail, but it’s worth repeating:

1. Volatility is normal. In an average year, the market sees a drawdown of around 13%. But historically, it still finishes the year with a return of around 10%. And more often than not, a down year is followed by several strong ones.

2. Staying invested matters. If you think you can outsmart the market by jumping in and out, think again. From 2000 to 2024 – a stretch that included the tech bust, the financial crisis, and COVID – a $100,000 investment left untouched would have grown to $568,212.

But miss just 5 of the best days in the market? That drops to $366,380.

Miss 10 days? You’re at $275,279.

Miss 20? You’re down to $179,782.

And if you missed 60 of the best days? Your portfolio would actually lose value – falling to $47,678.

That’s the power of staying the course.

At the Mah Investment Group, our job is to do the worrying so you don’t have to. While the headlines shout and the markets bounce around, we stay focused on what truly matters – your long-term goals.

So go ahead – turn up your favourite playlist, take a walk, enjoy time with loved ones. And remember: we’re here to help you build more, stress less, and live well.