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Open windows >>> hypervigilance

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bellbird

MyPTSD Pro
I love summer, but my hypervigilance has been spiking recently.

With the warmth, we often have all of the windows in the house open (we don't have an effective aircon system to cool the whole house).

The open windows are lovely for letting a breeze in, but also proving difficult because to my mind it just means more (and relatively quiet) points of entry into the house.

Typically, my subconscious will construct a mental map of the location I'm in, and the whereabouts of everyone in it. Any open entry points into the map have more active attention directed towards them. So a house full of open windows is not ideal in that sense (especially when I'm down one end of it), but a hot and stuffy house is also not ideal (and I'm not the only one living here to put up with it).

I'm not sure where exactly I'm going with this, I suppose to ask if anyone else experiences similar, or has any ideas/advice, or maybe even just if you understand what I'm talking about as I'm feeling a little out of place irl.
 
Abso-freaking-lutely! How you describe your mental map of the environment is what I do as well. It’s very uncomfortable when there are available entry points on all sides of the location I’m in.
I don’t have any techniques, typically I just have to tolerate it when I’m in the company of others. When I’m not, I’ve been able to find some relief by controlling the windows I prefer or can protect easier than others (ie- can I get to a defensible position if that entry point is breached) and using fans to circulate the airflow from that window.
It’s ideal when my preferred window is also on the side where the direction of wind usually comes from....but not always so lucky.
Thanks for creating the post!
 
If it’s the silent entry that’s bugging you? Make it noisy.

Best way? Go climb in those windows yourself and notice what you wouldn’t notice until CRASH, SCATTER, BANG-WoooCrashCLANG (my imitation of a metal sheet is somewhat lacking, here).

Also? It’s stupid easy to incapacitate someone who is dangling half in / half out of a window.
 
And screens!

It’s not super common to have screens in my country, particularly not permanently ones, and I don’t recall screens being common from my time in NZ, but that’s something I’ve really come to like in the US that most windows have permanently installed screens. And somehow my mind accepts the notion that someone is not as readily willing to enter an open window when there is a screen (which is kinda absolutely bizarre and paradox as this is in literal contrast to what happened to me 🤔😂).

Further, those screens can be made with “pet-proof” materials which are probably harder to cut through.

I still can’t have any windows open at night, but this certainly has helped me with open windows during the day (because we too don’t have air con)
 
Best way? Go climb in those windows yourself and notice what you wouldn’t notice until CRASH, SCATTER, BANG-WoooCrashCLANG (my imitation of a metal sheet is somewhat lacking, here).
Good idea, thanks. Some of the higher up ones may be a bit of a stretch with a partially metallic spine (which I'm guessing the probability of an intruder also having is low), but some I definitely can try.
J boobie traps windows and doors.
I was thinking on this. How does he do it?
And screens!
Problem is... I am a poor student, and we have a lot of windows (including big ones, that open).
 
I feel the same way about open windows, so unsafe, so scary for me. I've found what helps is to only open them a little bit, not enough for anyone to get in and then use one of those metal clamps designed to keep the window from sliding. If you get one of those with a bar on it, it keeps the window or glass door from being lifted out of the track and removed. You can use two clamps to keep the window from being slid closed and then lifted out.

As you can tell, I've thought about and experimented with this quite a bit. I still don't open the windows downstairs ever. I'll open my upstairs bedroom and bathroom windows briefly after a shower to air it out.
 
Good idea, thanks. Some of the higher up ones may be a bit of a stretch with a partially metallic spine (which I'm guessing the probability of an intruder also having is low), but some I definitely can try.
Cha... that’s the thing abot closed windows... they’re no safer than open ones. It takes apx 4 second to cut the glass out of the frame. Another second to set it down on the ground. A final second to throw a blanket over the sharp frame edge.

Someone who isn’t willing to take 6 seconds to enter silently? Will just kick your door in or break a closed window. IE open/closed makes no difference to anyone with ill-intent (locked windows and doors only stop friendly people who care about doing damage to your property.) Which is that noise-alert, thing. Putting something noisy in the path of someone entering? Just screwed up their silent entry.

There are a gazillion and 1 noise traps to set. In a pinch? Anything breakable will do. But otherwise I strongly prefer empty tin can towers with coins taped to strings inside of them, & those super obnoxious laser activated kids toys.
 
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