While those with more sensitive startle reflexes will always be more likely to jump at a loud noise or unexpected tap on the shoulder than those who are less sensitive, there are ways to soothe your nervous system and make yourself less jumpy.

1. Use grounding exercises

Grounding exercises – such as mindfulness meditation or the 5-4-3-2-1 technique – are one of the most powerful ways to reduce your startle reflex.

This is because being on edge can send your brain into overdrive, and grounding exercises are designed to do the opposite. They help you to slow down and live in the present, making it easier for you to relax and feel safe.

2. Regular exercise

As well as functioning as another form of grounding, regular exercise boosts levels of the feel-good hormones endorphins and serotonin, which are great for counteracting feelings of anxiety and stress. In turn, this can help you to feel less on edge.

3. Create a self-soothing toolkit

“Since our senses can deeply affect our emotions, having a set of soothing activities can be a great way to calm yourself,” Dr Touroni explains.

A self-soothing toolkit could include making a cup of herbal tea, listening to calming music, doing some self-massage or deep breathing – anything that helps to take your nervous system out of its sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ state and into a parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ one.

Why are some people more ‘jumpy’ than others? The startle reflex, explained