Natascha Polomski

Abstract

Prolonged stress affects more than physical and emotional well-being. It can gradually diminish an individual's ability to notice, interpret, and respond to their own internal experience. As this communication with self becomes less accessible, confidence in one's own experience may begin to erode, often resulting in overthinking, second-guessing, and increasing reliance on external validation.

This presentation shares the evolution of a practice-informed perspective that emerged through the intersection of personal healing, graduate study in Complementary Integrative Health with a specialization in BioEnergetic Wellness, and years of professional practice supporting individuals experiencing stress and overwhelm.

During BioEnergetic Wellness training, learning to use muscle biofeedback became a turning point in the presenter's own healing journey. Rather than remaining caught in persistent mental overanalysis, it offered a way to reconnect with bodily awareness and gradually rebuild confidence in lived experience. This personal insight later evolved into a recurring professional observation. Across a diverse range of individuals experiencing prolonged stress, many were able to describe their thoughts in detail. Still, they found it much more difficult to recognize or trust the signals arising from their own bodies.

For the purpose of this presentation, communication with self is described as the ongoing ability to notice, interpret, and respond to one's internal experience, including bodily sensations, emotions, thoughts, needs, and values.

Building on these observations, the presentation explores awareness as a foundation for restoring communication with self and considers how this process may contribute to the gradual rebuilding of self-trust. It discusses how the BioEnergetic Wellness Formula of Noticing, Recognition, Regulation, and Re-alignment, developed by Dr. Michelle Greenwell, provides a valuable framework for supporting awareness.

Rather than presenting a completed theory, this presentation offers a practice-informed perspective that invites interdisciplinary dialogue and future research into how awareness may support communication with self and contribute to the gradual rebuilding of self-trust and resilience within integrative health.

Biography

Natascha Polomski, MSc CIH (BioEnergetic Wellness), is a Self Trust and Awareness Guide, BioEnergetic Wellness professional, and doctoral researcher whose work is informed by both lived experience and professional practice. Following her own healing journey during her Master's studies, she began exploring how prolonged stress influences the relationship individuals have with themselves. Her current work focuses on awareness, communication with self, and the gradual rebuilding of self-trust through BioEnergetic Wellness and other awareness-based approaches. She is committed to advancing interdisciplinary dialogue and research that bridges practice, education, and integrative health.