Nicola Appleton
Nicola Appleton is Sleep Features Editor at Tom’s Guide, specialising in quality news content surrounding sleep and wellbeing. Nicola cut her teeth as a journalist in a busy newsroom in Bristol, UK, 15 years ago as part of a team at Britain's largest independent press agency. Since then, her job as a journalist has taken her to the States, to Sydney, and then back to Blighty, where she has written and edited features for a whole host of prominent British and international brands, including The Independent, The Sydney Morning Herald, HuffPost, Refinery29, Stylist and more. As well as tackling the vast topic of sleep, Nicola will be joining the raft of expert mattress reviewers at Tom's Guide, helping steer readers towards the very best mattresses on the market.
Latest articles by Nicola Appleton
![Mattress with white sheets is placed directly on the floor against an open window](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uNgUtWBztbaA8eVEbXscRD-320-80.jpg)
Will putting your mattress on the floor help you sleep cooler? I'm a sleep writer, here's what I think
By Nicola Appleton published
Will putting your mattress on the floor help you sleep cooler? Yes, but I don't recommend it — here’s why, plus 3 pro tips to sleeping cooler tonight.
![A woman smiles and stretches in bed after a great night's sleep](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VH3UA82DuuzvxGcehRV2DM-320-80.jpg)
Consistently good sleep reduces your risk of Type 2 diabetes, new study shows
By Nicola Appleton published
Consistently good quality sleep reduces your risk of Type 2 diabetes, new study shows. Here’s how to fix your sleep schedule, starting from tonight.
![DreamCloud Mattress US](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6gydTcv6pqHdrrrePqCdwn-320-80.jpg)
The best mattresses on Amazon 2024: our top 7 recommendations
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Find the best Amazon mattress for your budget and sleep needs, courtesy of our expertly-curated list.
![A woman lays on top of the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress, which is set against a dark blue bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7w87cB2H2nxcCMmrMTTZx-320-80.jpg)
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
Is the Tempur-Adapt mattress a worthy investment for back sleepers looking for premium pressure relief? We slept on it to see
![Best mattress protector 2022: a woman fits a white mattress cover over her Linenspa memory foam mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YDn6kmrLVWCLQBZUjABkqE-320-80.jpg)
Best mattress protector 2024: waterproof, cooling and zipped covers compared
By Cynthia Lawrence, Grace Franks, Nicola Appleton last updated
Keep your mattress clean, dry and allergen free. Here's our guide to best mattress protectors for every bed, lifestyle and budget.
![A woman lays on her back in bed with her smartphone held in front of her face with two hands after waking up from a night's sleep](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jVwWk36HncGzSZ8AMwkgHQ-320-80.jpg)
Doing this before looking at your phone each morning helps you fall asleep fast at night
By Nicola Appleton published
Doing this one crucial thing before you check your phone in the morning helps you fall asleep faster at night, say experts.
![A person holds a magnifying glass over a bed to spot bed bugs inside a mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ufzDxqnESqAnHtpDBry3Ta-320-80.jpg)
7 signs of bed bugs in your mattress — and whether it can be saved or not
By Nicola Appleton published
Think you have bed bugs in your mattress? Learn the telltale signs and symptoms, plus when a mattress can be saved and when it's time to buy new.
![A woman wearing a white singlet and pink pyjamas bottoms sleeps on her stomach on top of a white duvet and pillows](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Br4a86J2Si8MaDgd2VfMsk-320-80.jpg)
This is the worst sleep position for back pain, according to a chiropractor
By Nicola Appleton published
Sleeping in this position is ‘almost guaranteed’ to make your back pain worse, says a chiropractor. Here’s how to stop.
![Helix Midnight Luxe mattress with our sleep editor lying on it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/T8sG94g3hM8carbLPHwVBQ-320-80.jpg)
I've slept on a pillow-top mattress for the last three weeks — here's why I'll never sleep on anything else again
By Nicola Appleton published
Now that I’ve slept on the Helix Midnight Luxe and its sumptuously plush pillow top, I can’t ever go back. Here’s why.
![A man sits on the edge of his bed, with a hand held to his hip and neck.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2RtZmxHKNaKa5D37ZDFwcD-320-80.jpg)
5 signs your mattress is too firm, plus how to make it softer
By Nicola Appleton published
A mattress that is too firm can cause hip, shoulder and neck pain, plus tingling in the hands and feet. Here’s how to make your firm mattress softer.
![A woman sleep on her side with a black Sleep Crown pillow placed over her eyes](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r9F8747LGEuWNsaiznfSp4-320-80.jpg)
I tried TikTok’s viral sweater sleep hack — here’s what happened
By Nicola Appleton published
The viral TikTok sweater sleep hack is a DIY version of the Sleep Crown pillow — but is it just as good? I tried it and here’s what it did for my sleep.
![A woman laying on her back on a light gray Ostrichpillow](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LyVewh4PcmaEEubhsUns28-320-80.jpg)
I've swapped my cheap microfiber pillow for a luxury memory foam — here's how it's changing my sleep
By Nicola Appleton published
Is the $120 Ostrichpillow worth its luxury price tag? I’ve been sleeping on for weeks — here’s what I think.
![A woman with dark curly hair and glasses sleeps on her side on a blue sofa with her mouth open](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y5gZ2EqEPRNJCvjsGHCkBm-320-80.jpg)
Why have I started snoring — and how can I stop? A doctor responds
By Nicola Appleton published
If you’ve recently started snoring, the first thing to do is to rule out sleep apnea, advises a board certified physician.
![A woman holds her jaw in pain after grinding her teeth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TuEHJPPqdKLtZTG4pAv9XE-320-80.jpg)
Why do I grind my teeth in my sleep? A leading neuroscientist answers
By Nicola Appleton published
A dental guard can help protect your teeth from grinding them in your sleep, but that only solves part of the problem, explains a leading sleep expert.
![A man sleeps on his back with his mouth open](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KXtUNkGZQM2vMV5WdvvJuD-320-80.jpg)
How do I know if I have sleep apnea? A leading sleep apnea expert answers
By Nicola Appleton published
What is sleep apnea and how to tell if you have it
![A woman sits up in bed and places the back of her hand to her forehead . Her purple night shirt is damp with sweat.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mHSzV2sTbHg9GSUwwDcmcQ-320-80.jpg)
Why do I sweat so much in my sleep? A sleep scientist answers
By Nicola Appleton published
A sleep scientist explains why you could be sweating more than normal during your sleep, plus 5 things you can do to stay cooler at night.
![A woman yawns as she wakes up in white bed. A Tom's Guide Sleep Week 2024 is placed over the top of the image.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eCSgKCbqCiTPMK4inu4Hxm-320-80.jpg)
Why do I need so much sleep? An expert shares why you might need more sleep than normal
By Nicola Appleton published
If you're sleeping over nine hours a night and still feel tired every day, it could be time to see a professional. Here's why...
![A man sits up in bed at night, holding one hand to his lower back because he's experiencing back pain](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BoPiqnyXJdGWbw4BmGoKom-320-80.jpg)
This is the best sleep position for back pain, according to an orthopedic surgeon
By Nicola Appleton published
This is the best (and worst) sleep position for back pain, according to an orthopedic surgeon. Plus, they reveal how to soothe your tech neck come bedtime.
![A woman with dark hair sleeps on a memory foam mattress dressed with white pillows and sheets](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9WDdRVpN8ADVUY54uipTWR-320-80.jpg)
Are soft mattresses supportive or are they bad news for your back?
By Nicola Appleton published
A mattress can be both soft and supportive, provided that it contains enough supportive layers.
![A woman with dark hair sleeps on a memory foam mattress dressed with white pillows and sheets](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9WDdRVpN8ADVUY54uipTWR-320-80.jpg)
5 things to avoid right before bed if you want to sleep through the night
By Nicola Appleton published
Avoid these five things right before bed if you want to fall asleep fast and sleep through the night.
![A man sits up in bed holding his painful back](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F9Q2K9or2mXimbBEvVVG9A-320-80.jpg)
Five signs you need a firm mattress for your back pain
By Nicola Appleton published
A firm mattress isn’t the only suitable sleep solution for back pain, but it could be — here’s how to tell.
![A man sits up in bed holding his painful back because he's sleeping on the wrong type of mattress for his back pain](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F9Q2K9or2mXimbBEvVVG9A-320-80.jpg)
This is the worst type of mattress to buy if you have back pain
By Nicola Appleton published
There are so many myths around mattress for back pain – here's what to avoid and what to buy instead.
![Bed linens crumpled on a white mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nEJMEGUNXQFZ9X5wygfUq9-320-80.jpg)
How to get rid of dust mites from your mattress, pillows and bedding
By Nicola Appleton published
Dust mites can aggravate allergies and disrupt your sleep. Here’s how to remove them from your mattress, pillows and bedding.