Mindfulness
This page covers the definitions of mindfulness, as well as the support and resources available to you.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a technique that helps with preventing and alleviating many common mental health problems. It can be hard to keep up with the demands of study, work and the fast pace of living in London. Mindfulness has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, increase focus and overall feelings of happiness and wellbeing.
Practicing mindfulness, and paying attention to our thoughts and feelings in the present moment, and how they happen moment to moment, can be as simple as taking a few minutes a day to take notice of your senses, feelings and thoughts. It can easily be incorporated into daily life.
Support at UCL
UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services are here for you. We encourage you to get in touch and access our wide range of support.
External support
The UK's mental health charity, Mind provides a wide range of resources and guidance regarding mindfulness, so you can see if it may work for you.
The NHS provides a number of resources to pratice mindfulness.
Visit the NHS website on Mindfulness.
The free WellMind app from the NHS that provides advice and tips on how to improve mental health and wellbeing. The app allows you to monitor moods, get crisis help and use relaxation audio tracks.
Calm is a free app that teaches mindfulness, calming techniques, and meditation with the aim of helping you improve your mood. (Includes in-app purchases.)
Resources
Books on mindfulness
‘Present Perfect: A Mindfulness Aproach to Letting Go of Perfectionism and the Need for Control’, by Pavel G. Somov
Description: “A revolutionary approach to overcoming perfectionism! A recent, randomized study - published by Mindfulness Journal - shows that ‘Present Perfect’ is effective as a standalone intervention. The study found that those who had read the book experienced a statistically significant reduction of self-criticalness, a result that was still maintained at a six weeks follow-up (Wimberley, Mintz, & Suh, Mindfulness, Nov. 2015).”
‘A Restful Mind: Daily Meditations for Enhancing Mental Health’, by Mark Allen Zabawa
Description: “With ‘A Restful Mind’, Mark Allen Zabawa offers the first book designed to provide inspiration and support specifically for people living with mental health problems. A year of daily readings address the common life issues that arise for those with mental health problems and help those dealing with a disorder start or end each day more at peace with themselves and the world.”
Additional books
- Full Catastrophe Living: How to Cope with Stress, Pain and Illness Using Mindfulness Meditation (Jon Kabat-Zin)
- The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion: Freeing yourself from destructive thoughts and emotions (Christopher K. Germer)
- The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness: Guided Meditation Practices for the Mindful Way Through Depression (J. Mark G. Williams, John D. Teasdale, Zindel V. Segal, Jon Kabat-Zinn)
- Mindfulness for Beginners [Audiobook/CD] (Jon Kabat-Zinn)
- Mindfulness in Plain English (Bhante Henepola Gunaratana) (Also available for free downloand in various e-book formats)
- The Miracle of Mindfulness (Thick Nhat Hanh)
- Wherever You Go, there You Are: Mindfulness meditation for everyday life (Jon Kabat-Zinn)
Contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services
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