More than a few readers probably thought it ironic when self-help author Richard Carlson died earlier this month of a heart attack. The creator of the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” books, Carlson sold millions of copies encouraging readers to improve their lives through simple techniques to reduce stress.

Carlson, 45, died Dec. 13 on his way to New York to promote his new book, “Don’t Get Scrooged: How to Thrive in a World Full of Obnoxious, Incompetent, Arrogant, and Downright Mean-spirited People.” It focuses mainly on combating holiday stress.

And who couldn’t use a little help in that struggle these days?

Carlson made his mark in 1997 with the first book in the series, “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff ... and It’s All Small Stuff.” Anyone who’s been through the self-help section of any bookstore knows that Carlson’s subsequent titles could fill the place: “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff in Love” (written with his wife Kristine); “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff at Work”; “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens”; “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff About Money”; “What About the Big Stuff” and “Easier Than You Think: Because Life Doesn’t Have to Be So Hard.” In all he published some 20 books that have been translated into more than 30 languages.

It all got started, he says, about 10 years ago during a conversation in the car with his then 4-year-old daughter. They were stuck in traffic, and noticing the tense drivers all around them, she asked, “Why is everyone so angry?”

The question prompted him to share his ideas on stress-reduction through humor, positive thinking and keeping things in perspective. For many, this folksy, simple approach has brought lasting change to their lives.

Most of the books are an extension of the first one, which basically featured 100 ways to go about life, including:

• Relax

• Live this day as if it were your last, it might be

• Make peace with imperfection

• Do something nice for someone else — and don’t tell anyone about it

• Let others have the glory

• Become more patient

• Smile at strangers, look into their eyes, and say hello

• Become a better listener

• Practice random acts of kindness

• Resist the urge to criticize

• Breathe before you speak

• Become a less aggressive driver

• Do one thing at a time

• Stop blaming others

• Cut yourself some slack

• Lighten up

• Mind your own business

Lame? Simplistic? Maybe. But it must have worked for somebody, or he wouldn’t have sold all those books.