Mindfulness
These pages offer lists of recommended resources on various themes, including books, websites, apps and more. They have been put together by members of the counselling service team: we hope they offer some useful suggestions. We have included a range of resources and, inevitably, you may find that some things are more helpful than others. Feedback is always welcome; the pages are updated on a regular basis.
A note on language: Sections are organised by theme to help you find your way to resources relevant to you. We recognise that there are many ways to describe and categorise mental health and emotional difficulties, identity and lived experience. As such, these themes are by no means definitive or exhaustive. We encourage you to explore the material here in order to find out what fits for you.
The University is not responsible for the content displayed on external links. We recommend that you seek advice from your GP if you have concerns about your mental health, or if you are experiencing a crisis please refer to our student help page for urgent support.
Mindfulness as taught here at Oxford is a well-researched, non-religious and effective means of alleviating stress, anxiety and depression, promoting wellbeing, improved performance and flourishing in your student life.
The University of Oxford has been an international centre of excellence in teaching and researching mindfulness over the last 20 years, and there are well-established programmes and events within the University to make mindfulness available to Oxford students.
Oxford was the first UK university to offer mindfulness courses for students, and these continue to be offered each term, both in colleges and through workshops and groups offered by the Counselling Service. These practical courses have been designed specifically with the needs of students in mind. Skills for supporting your performance and good mental health are taught in classes over six weeks.
Introductory taster sessions are offered at the Counselling Service twice each term, and dates and booking details can be found on the workshops and groups page. Students interested in attending a mindfulness course, or supporting their exploration of app-based mindfulness training are warmly invited to consider attending one of these introductory sessions.
The Oxford Mindfulness website provides a concise introduction to what mindfulness is, how it can be useful, and how mindfulness skills can best be learned, together with responses to frequently asked questions.
The Oxford Mindfulness app has been designed to provide support in developing and maintaining a mindfulness practice to enhance mental health and wellbeing. It offers a library of mindfulness meditations, live sessions, self-paced courses, resources and materials.
Read
We are deliberately keeping this resource list concise, only listing resources relating to evidence-based programmes that Oxford students have found helpful.
Books
Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World – Prof Mark Williams and Dr Danny Penman (Bodleian e:book available)
Mindfulness for Life – Prof Willem Kuyken
Mindfulness for Health: A Practical Guide for Relieving Pain, Reducing Stress, and Restoring Wellbeing – Vidyamala Burch and Dr Danny Penman (Bodleian e:book available)
Deeper Mindfulness - Prof Mark Williams and Dr Danny Penman (Bodleian e:book available)
Online Resources
Watch
Prof Mark Williams introducing Mindfulness
Learn
Forthcoming Mindfulness taster sessions, workshops and the next six-session Mindfulness course for Oxford students are listed in the workshops section of the workshops and groups page.
An eight-session course will be offered in University College on Wednesdays at 5.30 – 7pm in Trinity term 2025. Further details can be obtained by emailing mindfulness.sstead@gmail.com.
A taster session for this course (£75 fee) will take place on Tuesday 11th March, 5.30 – 6.30pm in the Swire Room at University College.
A four-session follow on course for those who have previously done a mindfulness course (£50 fee) is also being offered at University College in Weeks 2 – 5 in Trinity term. For further details please email mindfulness.sstead@gmail.com
Apps
Bodleian e:book available
(Bodleian e:book available)
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