Q. I tend to binge eat whenever I'm stressed. What's the best way to handle this?

1. **Observe your binge patterns first.** Writing down what, when, and how you eat under stress reveals personal patterns—like 'eating salty and sweet foods in a row after work.' Recognizing this gives you the space to make a different choice. I've been there myself; simply being aware can feel like half the battle. 2. **Adopt lifestyle habits that support Liver (肝) flow.** In Traditional Korean Medicine, stress-induced binge eating is often linked to Liver Qi Stagnation (肝氣鬱結). Stagnant liver energy can lead to frustration and impulsive bingeing. Gentle activities like walking, diaphragmatic breathing, or stretching help move liver qi. Massaging the area just below the solar plexus also helps relax the liver meridian. 3. **Set a rhythm for meal times and diet.** Binge eating often results from irregular hunger and excessive cravings. Eat three meals at similar times each day, and drink warm teas (e.g., ginger tea, jujube tea) between meals. Sugary or instant foods may temporarily lift mood but worsen Spleen Deficiency (脾虛), leading to rebound weight gain. 4. **A constitution-based approach is essential.** Even among stress-related binges, the root cause varies by constitution. For example, Soeumin (少陰人) type often has underlying Spleen Deficiency, so under stress they may feel both indigestion and intense hunger, leading to bingeing. Taeeumin (太陰人) type may have weakened liver function that allows Phlegm-Fluid (痰飮) accumulation, triggering sudden binges. After a constitutional diagnosis at a Korean medicine clinic, specific herbal medicine and lifestyle management can be recommended. Rather than forced dietary restrictions, understanding your body's signals and naturally restoring balance yields better long-term results.