It's time to stop buying tennis balls to play fetch with your dog. Turns out the fuzzy exterior isn't good for them or the environment: The soft, fuzzy coating is made of plastic, and when its threads are shed from the ball, they become microplastics that can end up in waterways and/or ingested by your dog. Plenty of alternatives are available, but among the best are plastic-free tennis balls, which have the same bounce, shape and feel of regular tennis balls but are totally free of microplastics.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Microplastics are everywhere, unfortunately, and it's important to do our part to reduce plastic usage and keep plastic waste out of our waterways, for the health of our environment and ourselves. One way to reduce your exposure to microplastics is to avoid sea salt in your diet. A study in Spain tested 21 brands of sea salt, and all of them tested positive for microplastics. It makes sense: Sea salt is derived from seawater. To avoid microplastics in your salt, look for table salt, which is mined.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

We spend a lot of time indoors during the winter months, so it's important to take simple steps to have the healthiest indoor air possible. According to a story published by Harvard Medical School, reducing indoor allergens can help alleviate respiratory problems many people face, especially in the colder months, when opening a window isn't ideal. The study notes that "most of the things that cause problems are odorless," so it's hard to tell if your air quality is good or bad. Tips to help: Vacuum at least twice a week to collect dust, dander and mold. And even if it's cold outside, open a few windows once in a while to let in some fresh air.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION