Major U.S. market averages major averages have come under pressure this week as investors sell off stocks in every sector of the market. The Dow Jones (DIA  ) sunk briefly below 25,000 points on Friday, and investors are reeling from what has become the market's worst week since the financial crisis of over a decade ago. The sell-off was mostly due to investor fears surrounding the spreading coronavirus and its growth in countries outside of China, including the United States. The week-long sell-off period has also stoked fears of a coming global economic slowdown and possible recessions.

When looking into investing during this time period, its best to remember that this will most likely be a short-period of decline. Long-term investors, those who make up much of the market, should know that this is only a small dip and they should not worry as the market will most likely recover in the manner of a few months. For this reason, many investors are looking for a time to buy the dip as stocks like Apple (AAPL  ) enter bear markets.

To add more defensive ETFs to your portfolio, look for funds like Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU  ), real estate investment trusts (REITs) like Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ  ) and Schwab U.S. REIT ETF (SCHH  ), and Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK  ) have become less risky investments in current market volatility.

For those that look to buy more offensive stocks that could gain exponentially when the market inevitably corrects itself, look for funds like Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE  ), Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB  ) and Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF  ). These have all made significant declines this week as investors are currently moving away from offensive stocks.

The current market is also a great time to add gold exposure to a portfolio, with prices dropping on Friday. Funds that trade gold and other metals include SPDR Gold Shares (GLD  ), Aberdeen Standard Gold ETF (SGOL  ) and GraniteShares Gold Trust. (BAR  ).

There will most like be more sell-offs as the coronavirus infects more headlines and continues to spread at a concerning rate. This is a time for investors to relax, maybe buy into larger stocks in their bear market, and wait for the market to correct itself as it always does.