This has been a wild year for my family, and I will not go into complete details due to the personal nature. If it was just my personal stuff, that would be one thing, but this time it isn't just about me. ## TL;DR - Tried new treatments: - Grounding Mat - Seemed to work some - Vagus nerve stimulation - seems to help some days - Meditation - this seems to help the most - Family - One brother increasing health problems - Mother - health problems and more.... - Dad - Still doing ok ## Treatments ### Grounding Mat I started using the grounding mat on a daily basis, and it seemed to help some. After a while, I saw the impact less and less. The treatment regimen was every morning, use it for an hour. You use it barefoot, with your feet on the mat. #### Why is it supposed to work? > From what I have read, it's supposed to help remove excess electrical current in the body. #### What did I observe? > When I tested my current going to the ground of the house was ~120mV, and when I was on the mat, the current was reduced to ~1mV or lower. #### Where did I get the product? > [GroundingWell](https://www.groundingwell.com) > > *Note*: This is not an affiliate link. ### Vagus Nerve Stimulation When using this treatment, my anxiety / unrest seemed to be helped as long as I kept using the device. I used the device for roughly 3 weeks, and I am starting this again to verify the findings. #### Why is it supposed to work? > When the electrical pulses hit the vagus nerve, it makes a contraction on the nerve. This is called [VNS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagus_nerve_stimulation) which is known to treat a range of conditions. When doing more research about VNS, the thing that I experienced isn't really covered in the wiki link. #### What did I observe? > When I was using the device, I noticed a lowering of my anxiety levels. That could also be argued as helping my depression. The medical doctors I have talked to in the past, depression and anxiety are closely related. #### Where did I get the product? > [Amazon - Pulsetto](https://a.co/d/078nH1J3) > > *Note:* This is not an affiliate link. ### Meditation #### Why is it supposed to work? > Meditation has been used for centuries by various religions, training and therapies. If you want to read more about meditation and the extensive history of the practice I suggest looking at the [Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation) #### How did I meditate? > I have tried various methods, and I found this one the most successful. I have a swing on my porch that's big enough for me to lie on. It overlooks the valley that is mostly nature. I lay down, clear my head and then as I swing I just let things go around me as I just observe what is happening out in the valley. #### What did I observe? > I found that the more I practiced the better I got, and I was able to get more calm on bad days. Of course, this has a lot to do with what is going on in my life, and even on the craziest day, it does help. ## Family update ### Dad He's been having good days and bad. This is expected with his health conditions and treatment regimens. I have been to the doctor with him, and helping out where I can. #### Brother (Scott) He's been going through more issues here lately. I do believe that we have some of the issues pinned down, and we are still working on getting solutions. #### Mom I have to say, for a while I thought that she would be ealthier than me for a while, but these last few months has taken a toll on her. While I don't completely understand the situation(s), I sympathize on these. I can not give anymore information, but I think she will be able to make it through this rough patch.