To this seeker of simplicity, the article headline was like a jig spinner dangled before a hungry walleye: Seven Simple Ways to Improve Your Life. So, I bit.

An information junkie like me expects to find mostly conventional wisdom in pieces like this. That, and the spelling out of intuitive inclinations. Still, I pore over the seven points, because an occasional reminder never hurts.

1. Stop and listen to the birds. Yawn. The old immerse yourself in nature theme. But wait. On my outdoor walk yesterday, didn't I catch myself staring ahead blankly as I ruminated over a recent frustration? And this article specifically cites birdsong as therapeutic. Even recorded bird sounds. (Mental note: Tune into that chirping cardinal.)

2. Take care of your teeth and gums. Yeah, yeah. Dental hygiene is related to cardiac wellbeing, right? However this fellow's talking about oral health being a modifiable risk factor for dementia. (Sticky note reminder on bathroom mirror: Floss!)

3. and 4. Channel your inner centenarian/Take steps to reduce inflammation. Pretty basic lifestyle stuff here. The habits of long-lived humans usually reflect attention to physical activity, a high fiber Mediterranean-style diet, social connection, integrating new challenges into the everyday routine. (Shopping list: olive oil; almonds; salmon; oranges; crossword puzzle book.)

5. Do breathing exercises. This one I just recently discovered. Fascinatingly, breath work counteracts tension and anxiety and increases brain plasticity. You can actually nudge your nervous system into rest/digest mode by shortening the inhale and extending the exhale. (YouTube search: diaphragmatic breathing; calming breath; 3:6, 4x4, or 4-7-8 breathing; mantra breathing.)

6. Let your mind wander. Apparently being naturally unfocused has creative benefits. Consider monotonous car trips and long outdoor walks. Don't our most brilliant thoughts often pop into our heads during those prime incubating opportunities? This point reassures me since my writer's brain is so prone to meandering off on its own that I've worried about how far it might take me. The problem is capturing meaningful ideas for later use. (Today's to-do: Tuck small writing pads and stub pencils into jacket pocket and glove compartment.)

7. Hug or hold hands. A lovely form of instinct-driven therapy, to be sure. C-tactile fibers are sensors imbedded in the skin by our Creator; He knows full well the dire consequences of a lack of literal human warmth. Anyone who has lost a spouse has experienced the flesh-shuddering physical withdrawal symptoms associated with the absence of contact. Since there are no substitutes for person-to-person touch, things get tricky for the pathologically shy or those flying solo. (Caution: Resist the urge to greet the mailman with a bear-hug.)

Steve Jobs once proclaimed, "Simple can be harder than complex." I would add to that observation, but not always. I will happily re-commit to all of the straightforward suggestions above. And that wandering mind thing? Piece of cake.

But I will have to work on my impulse to hug the mailman. He has such a nice, welcoming smile.