I am very much long stocks and since April 2016 been shorting Indexes on a pattern on new highs and hedge. Way I have always traded since early 90s. Short Indexes hedge my stocks and options hedge my Indexes, what often happens, short Index futures captures some losses on open stock positions, and when/if futures don't go low enough, future's hedges kick in to cover futures. I keep doing well dancing options around stock positions and collecting mountains of dividends on most of core stocks bought in 2009.
Yea, VIX is real funny animal and I have only played it doing longs, makes no sense to short it regardless of cries of the world for system trading. One of my rules, for recent spikes, instead of exiting 10% at certain value, it is increased to 80% cause spikes so often revert to value/mean, so for me better to enjoy free money and BTFD. And best of all, it all automated, back for naps and studying...
Keep safe all.