Q. When I get stressed, I tend to binge eat. How can I improve this?

In Traditional Korean Medicine, stress-induced binge eating begins with Liver Qi Stagnation (gān qì yù jié), then progresses to Spleen Qi Deficiency (pí xū) and accumulation of Phlegm-Fluid (tán yǐn). The Liver governs emotions and aids digestion; persistent stress blocks its energy, disrupting the stomach and spleen. This leads to eating when not hungry, craving sweet or fatty foods, and repeated regret afterward. I myself used to buy snacks and ice cream at convenience stores late at night under work stress—it left me dizzy and unsettled. A phased approach helps: **Weeks 1–2 (Adaptation)**: Herbal formulas relieve Liver stagnation and strengthen the Spleen. Meal sizes may not drop sharply, but bloating and heartburn subside. **Weeks 3–4 (Stabilization)**: Impulsive fridge-opening becomes less frequent, and you gain a moment of pause before acting on cravings. In my clinical experience, patients often say, 'My body feels different now.' **Months 2–3 (Re-establishment)**: Liver-Spleen harmony reduces emotional control over eating. The pattern doesn't vanish entirely—we're human—but the vicious cycle of bingeing, guilt, and diet abandonment weakens significantly. Crucially, herbal medicine alone isn't enough. Regular meal times, and choosing warm soups or porridge over刺激性 foods, aid recovery. During strong urges, pause for five seconds to ask, 'Am I hungry or angry?' This small habit helps untangle the mind-body connection step by step.