Mindfulness

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.