Q. I tend to binge eat whenever I’m stressed. How can I improve this?

Stress-induced binge eating is better seen as a sign of imbalance in body and mind rather than a willpower issue. In Traditional Korean Medicine, prolonged stress leads to liver qi stagnation (肝鬱, gan yu). This blocks the flow of qi, causing chest tightness, emotional dysregulation, and a tendency to seek temporary comfort through eating, which can spiral into binge eating. If spleen deficiency (脾虛, pi xu) is also present, the body fails to digest food properly, leading to phlegm fluid (痰飮, tan yin) accumulation and a vicious cycle of further overeating. I recall opening the refrigerator whenever I was stressed—not as a mere habit, but as a signal from my body’s energy. Improving binge eating focuses on three main axes. First, relieving liver qi stagnation: acupuncture opens the liver meridian, and herbal medicine alleviates the stuffy sensation. Second, strengthening spleen function: herbs that tonify spleen deficiency are combined with regulated meal pacing. Third, correcting lifestyle habits: irregular meals, sleep deprivation, and excessive caffeine worsen both liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency, so these must be addressed together. Based on this checklist, identifying the precise cause through consultation and creating a personalized treatment plan is key. Rather than forcing yourself to endure or worrying alone, I recommend checking your body’s condition from a TKM perspective.