You're an informed person. You have read up on cholesterol and are rightfully fearful of its negative effects on your health. But what if I told you there were two kinds of cholesterol; a good and a bad? The cholesterol you want to avoid is Low-Density Lipoprotien (LDL). This is the substance that creates plaque on the arterial walls and can lead to heart attacks. HDL (high-density lipoprotein) on the other hand, works to remove this plaque from the walls of arteries so the liver can process it. Think of HDL as an army of janitors working to keep your insides sparkling. Now that you know the differences, you probably want to know how you do to raise your levels of good cholesterol. We are here for you, with six steps to a healthier life.

Exercise: Any activity that forces your heart rate up for a period of thirty or more minutes will increase HDL levels. Aerobic exercise will also help you lose fat, which is believed to contribute to higher LDL levels. You do not become a gym rat to reap the benefits of exercise. In fact some experts claim that it is the duration of exertion and not its intensity that is important in improving cholesterol levels.

Diet: Add more dark green vegetables to your diet. While you're at it avoid trans or saturated fats as researchers believe these increase your LDL. Eat more pure protein like fish or skinless chicken. Whole wheats are your friend, because they are loaded with simple carbohydrates.

Enjoy A Drink: It's not all bad. You now have a perfectly valid reason to have that cocktail at dinner. Enjoying one or two drinks a day has been shown to improve HDL in studies. Just don't over-indulge and you'll be fine.

Give Up Tobacco: A smoker who quits smoking will see an increase in the level of HDL in their blood. There, now you've got another reason to kick your habit as if you really needed it.

Remove Stress: The verdict is out on whether this directly affects cholesterol, but many studies have shown correlations between heart disease and stress. I say don't wait for definitive evidence, stress is a known negative. Work to remove it from your life. Slow down, and enjoy the simple pleasures. Spend more time with friends and family and try to worry less.

Sleep More: Your body needs eight hours of sleep a night. Give yourself a chance to recharge your batteries and you will be healthier and more alert during the day.