Meet Dr. Fabian Lopez, Anti-Aging Expert. “Dr. Fab” is a high profile physician, speaker and noted anti-aging and wellness expert based in Miami's South Beach. Dr. Fab has his private practice and multi-specialty aesthetics clinics in Miami, which host an A-list of VIP clientele. 

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Dear Dr. Fab,   I always get so depressed during the winter. Why is that, and what can I do about it? 

I’m sorry to hear that you are depressed. My initial advice is for you to get outdoors as much as possible (be sure to keep using sunscreen).  Even if it’s overcast outside, open up the shades and get moving.  Winter blues may be caused by the shorter days because lack of light can disrupt natural serotonin levels, which in turn affect mood and behavior.  Exercising on a regular basis can also improve your mood; ideally, you’d be doing this outside, but even if you visit a health club or workout in your home, exercise can naturally lift spirits in as little time as 15 minutes.  However, if you find yourself suffering from the winter blues intensely or it’s really disrupting your day-to-day life, talk to your doctor about your symptoms.  You might be a candidate for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which can often be treated with light therapy.

Dear Dr. Fab, With the weather so unpredictable, I can barely get out of bed to exercise. How can I motivate myself to get out and kick butt? 

During a cold winter, getting up and getting started was sometimes the last thing I wanted to do. The key to keeping yourself motivated is to be prepared and find exercise routines that will interest you. Being prepared means packing a gym bag the night before, making sure your gear is ready to go and allowing yourself enough time to make it to classes and workouts. It’s easy to skip exercising when you’re already running ten minutes late and you haven’t even packed a lunch for work yet.  The important point to keep in mind is to keep your workout routines varied and explore different types of exercises during indoor months. Joining a health club can keep your interest piqued and provide you with the support you need to get you motivated when you are feeling under the weather. Colder months also offer great opportunities for activities to do on the weekends that you can’t enjoy the rest of the year: skiing, snowboarding, sledding and ice skating all burn calories. Just be careful when you are outside and protect your skin and face from cold air. Sure, it’s easy for me to say “forget about the gray skies and get moving” from Miami Beach, but trust me, you’re body will be much happier once spring rolls around.

Dear Dr. Fab,I feel like everyone around me is sneezing and coughing! How can I boost my immune system to protect against colds? 

Aside from sealing yourself up in a bubble, everyone stands a good chance of catching a cold at some point. But you can boost your immune system during cold season and decrease your chances by taking some precautions, staying healthy with a balanced diet and exercise, and cutting down on your exposure to germs.  Once a cold has appeared, there’s very little you can do about it, so work to build up an excellent defense against these bugs before they become a problem. Keep your immune system working well with a balanced diet containing healthy, nutritious grains, vegetables and fruit, and your whole body system working well by exercising regularly. Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water can help flush out toxins. What most people don’t realize is that sleep also plays an important part in a good body defense. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours for your body to heal, repair and beef up those defenses, so make sure you get enough sleep in.  Finally, many people swear by antibacterial soaps, sprays, wipes and gels to reduce cold-causing bacteria, but the jury is still out as to how well they do preventing the many colds of the season. While it’s okay to use these products sparingly, the simple act of washing your hands vigorously in warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating and after using a restroom, can dramatically cut down on your germ count, too.  

Dear Dr. Fab, How can I take care of my rough, dry skin during the winter? 

Many of my patients travel extensively and split their time between the tropics and colder climates.  Returning to cold weather can stress skin and lead to dryness, emphasize fine lines, and aggravate pre-existing conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. I recommend you apply a non-greasy moisturizer within a few minutes of showering or washing, and use hand creams and lip balms regularly.  Kiehl’s moisturizing products are great, and I have always believed in spending extra for a high-quality product; the results can be dramatic over time.   And, once again, don’t forget sunscreen!  You might not think its necessary during colder months, but the sun’s rays can reflect off of snow and other surfaces and do just as much damage (or more) to your skin.  In fact, using a moisturizer that contains appropriate SPF is a great bet.  Keep exposed skin protected from wind chill and low temperatures by covering up with a hat, scarf, gloves and a well-insulated coat.  And of course, drink plenty of water…this helps moisturize skin from the inside out and keeps you hydrated.

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