How to stay healthy during family vacations

(WXYZ) - If your family is hitting the road over summer break, there are a few ways to make sure no one gets sick during your trip.

Doctors say one of the main reasons why families get sick before or during vacation is because of stress.

"You are worried about things, making arrangements, and that compromises or hurts your immune system," said Dr. Brenda Powell from the Cleveland Clinic.

A lack of sleep during vacation could also be to blame for a family member getting sick.

"You're crossing time zones, you're sleeping in new places, traveling at odd hours of the day, and that's also very hard on the immune system," Dr. Powell said.

If your family tends to go out for meals during vacation, make sure you're choosing healthy foods.

You may want to add extra Vitamin C or Vitamin A to your diet before you leave for vacation because those vitamins can strengthen the immune system.

Dr. Powell also recommends bringing hand sanitizer.

"You may not be able to wash your hands when you want to. So, if you can't get to soap and water when you have to have clean hands, you can use your hand sanitizer," Dr. Powell said.

You should use it after touching objects like handrails, doorknobs or other communal things.