If the headlines have you worried about a stock market crash, make sure that you're prepared for it. Market crashes are out of your control, but you can compound your losses by making bad decisions. Avoid these three common reactions to navigate the next bear market and set yourself up for long-term gains.

Volatility is an inevitable part of even the best stock market investment plan. It's assumed that bear markets will drive account values lower at some point. That might sound crazy, but stock market crashes aren't a new phenomenon. Corrections and crashes happen periodically, and they are temporary diversions from an overall upward long-term trend in stock prices. Professional investors and advisors recognize this and design their strategies with this expectation.

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Source Fool.com