Kind of silly but...

Okay this is going to sound a little ridiculous, but bare with me (and yes you can laugh at my wussyness).
In a few weeks I am going to be buying a new bed and doing over my room. Because of my neglected/poor upbringing this is a HUGE deal for me. I have never owned my OWN bed before. It's always been a second hand bed given by a relative or church, or some wooden boards, currently it's a ranky old mattress on the floor from the salvos.
Well, because of my hypervigilence, one of the many things I get iffy with is the 'under the bed'. Even ensambles with about 2 inches undeneath, when my feet are near it I feel as though someone/thing is going to reach out an arm and grab my leg. When I get my new bed I'm going to have an under the bed again and this is going to be a bit of a deal for me. I know I'm going to get myself worked up while going sleep that someone is under there. I'm getting nervous just thinking about it.
I'm 23 and I still need to block the door, have some sort of lighting, music, I can't have the bed where I can see a mirror or any pictures with faces, the cupboard doors have to be closed, and I can only sleep with my back facing the room and a blanket over the back of my head to 'protect' me. Stupid isn't it? I've lived alone for over 5 years and I'm still like this. And there is of course the nightmares.
So my question is, does anyone have any ideas of how to lower hypervigilence when going to bed? Please don't move this thread to the sleep forum because I really need some answers, I'm actually doing over my room so the room is going to be very 'new' and uncomfortable to me, and I was hoping with a proper bed and more peaceful design I can have better rest for the first time in my life.

(((((( Evening )))))))

I would get a bed with no 'under.' Just a base unit for the mattress to go on.

if you do get a bed with an under you may want to use the under for storage. I have so many of those plastic, under the bed storage things the cats can't fit!

I agree with Pegasus. How about a platform bed?

I have already chosen a bed, I don't have much of a budget so I can only get what my money allows. I am excited about having new stuff, but I'm going to get nervous.

I am thinking for the storage though, put boxes and a shoe rack under there to take up space.

They also make platform beds with drawers underneath. I wish you luck on whatever bed you decide to get.

I had good friend had a similar issue and these are all great ideas but it was not affordable for her to get a platform, storage bed, or even storage chests/boxes at the time. Do check the dollar store now for inexpensive under the bed chests/boxes. However, at the time all she could find to stuff under there, that were really cheap, were pillows to block it and they were literally a few bucks at the dollar store. It was soothing for her. Perhaps this would help instead if there aren't chests/boxes.

Congrats on getting the new bed. Excited for you! Nothing like a first purchase!

I think you do realize that your fear is uhm, well, irrational. Maybe by facing your fear it might lose it's power?

How exciting I have a platform bed but I know they're expensive. The cheap alternative would be to put the box springs and mattress on the floor until you can afford a frame. I know it's not as "pretty" as a bed off the floor but it's a thought. I think especially if you dressed it up with a bedskirt it would do just fine....or you could do the tote/pillow thing. Enjoy your new room!

Also, as far as helping you sleep: studies have shown that the best environment for sleep is an uncluttered one. Additionally they recommend you paint the walls a tranquil color, something that makes you feel safe and secure (or at the very least off-white or cream, they're not as stark as white). When I lived by myself and had things as I wished there were 2 pieces of furniture in my room. My bed and my dresser (with nothing on top of it). I cheated the wall color by installing colored bulbs from mood lights (.com) that are shown to put out the true color of the bulb. They have several colors including tranquility and serenity. I had 3 pieces of artwork all framed in the same frames on the walls. They're all water scenes which I find calming however I know water bothers a lot of people. It was very minimalist but it worked for me. Just food for thought. I hope you find exactly what you're looking for.

Yes I am somewhat aware that these fears are irrational, hence the reason I did state it was silly and people can feel free to laugh, and that I'm asking for advice. There's nothing rational about hypervigilence, the fact that I think I'm going to get shot when cars drive past me at night, or that I have to check every room in the house when I get home to make sure nobody is hiding somewhere, while at the same time leaving the front door open incase I need to make a hasty escape from anyone/thing that could jump out, or that I can't sleep when I can see a mirror because I keep thinking something will appear in it. My mind is just used to subconciously thinking of EVERY possible scenario in every situation life brings me, it it a subconcious attempt to protect myself from danger. PTSD does that.

There were shoes racks for $7 in one store, and I was thinking of getting some woven baskets to store things in too. I could maybe keep my old quilt and store it under there as well... Ideas are beginning to flow!

I am taking out some savings to get all this new stuff, it's the last of my savings (I had a bit of drama with that recently and found out that thousands of dollars I thought I had was actually money my mother would get if I died and we were told the wrong info), but I need this stuff. It would be nice to have brand new stuff too. But I am looking for the cheapest I can find. I have found 2 bases I like, one $200 and one $270. I'm not going any higher than that though, and I still need the mattress.

You are totally on my wavelength in regards to making my room more tranquil and uncluttered. I am planning on painting my walls a pale green (they are a dreadful purple now, and when I moved in they where BRIGHT yellow). I have a base idea for my room, I'm going to try and keep it pale earthy greens, browns and white, a lot of wooden and woven stuff. I'm taking everything out, cleaning and painting everything, then putting my new stuff in. I'm going to try and not live in my room like I used to as well, and only use it for sleep and peaceful hobbies like drawing or relaxing when it's raining. This will be a big step for me and I don't know how I'll go. I started living and hiding in my room years ago, and even when there was no need to anymore I never grew out of it. The problem with trying to get over that is there might be less of that comfort/safety feeling and it might get me more nervous.

I realize that your budget might not allow it, but a cat is a big help for me, just to have in the house whne I am getting ready to sleep. Not being ALONE is a huge help. If you can't have a cat, will a large teddy in the bed help? I'm not laughing, when the hubby is gone, I often have and extra pillow in the bed to hug.

I can't have a cat no, I already have 2 fish, a frog, a snake and 2 birds, disaster is inevitable! haha
A teddy might help though, when I was at my grandparents a few weeks ago I came across my little cousins teddy so I decided to take it to bed with me. I don't even know why.

Getting a plain base unit is actually cheaper than a bed with legs though you can get some base units with drawers in them for storage.

Just remind yourself that you are safe now and nobody/thing is going to frighten you.

Take care.

I'm excited for you! Have fun!

Evening, i do not have any other suggestions than the ones others have already made. i just wanted to tell you, this was not silly. It is a big deal and kudos to you on your new adventure making your room your sanctuary.