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
7 signs that you have dust mites in your mattress — and why that's bad for your sleep
By Nicola Appleton published
You can’t see dust mites, but these are the seven tell-tale signs they're lurking in your mattress. Plus, we reveal how to get ride of dust mites quickly.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Tempur-Adapt mattress is a premium mattress — but does that mean premium sleep? After reviewing it for three weeks, this is what we think…
Loved the Scandinavian Sleep Method? Try these 7 hacks for cleaner, better sleep
By Nicola Appleton published
From airing your duvet in freezing temperatures to hot baths before bed, there's more to Scandi sleep hacks than separate blankets.
There’s only one real benefit of sleeping naked — but it’s a big one, even in winter
By Nicola Appleton published
It might go against your natural instinct to stay warm, but sleeping naked in winter can benefit your sleep in a big way — here’s how.
Can an apple really wake you up faster than a cup of coffee? A nutritionist responds
By Nicola Appleton published
Some say an apple is better at waking you up than a cup of coffee, but is that true? Here’s what the nutritionists say...
The 7 best mattresses on Amazon 2024: browse these budget-friendly bedroom upgrades
By Ruth Hamilton last updated
Find the best Amazon mattress for your budget and sleep needs, courtesy of our expertly-curated list.
What is a nighttime routine for adults and how do they help you fall asleep faster?
By Nicola Appleton published
A nighttime routine can help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling energized — here's what you need to do.
This is why doctors drink coffee before taking a power nap
By Nicola Appleton published
A doctor on TikTok explains how combining your coffee with a daytime power nap maximises your energy levels post-sleep.
7 things in your bedroom that are keeping you awake at night — and how to fix them
By Nicola Appleton published
Longing to stay asleep all night? A certified sleep coach reveals the common bedroom mistakes that could be behind why you keep waking up.
Five mistakes people make when buying a mattress topper for back pain
By Nicola Appleton published
Avoid these five common mistakes people make when buying a mattress topper for back pain.
7 tips for sleeping better in 2024 — get the best sleep of your life this year
By Nicola Appleton published
I'm a sleep writer and these are the seven tips I'm following to get the best sleep of my life in 2024.
Expert reveals the best position to help you stay asleep all night if you keep waking up
By Nicola Appleton published
A sleep posture expert reveals the two ideal sleep positions to help you stay asleep all night – and it's bad news for stomach sleepers.
Cold shower vs warm bath: Which is best for sleep?
By Nicola Appleton published
Let’s take a closer look at whether a warm bath or a cold shower is best for promoting quality sleep.
Dakota Johnson sleeps 14 hours a night — what is oversleeping and is it bad for you?
By Nicola Appleton published
Sleep is important to our overall health, but oversleeping can make you feel more tired and increase you risk of disease – here's why...
I'm a sleep writer — this is how I help my kids to sleep well on Christmas Eve and not wake up super-early
By Nicola Appleton published
My failsafe guide to getting excited kids to sleep on Christmas Eve and to avoid them waking up at the crack of dawn.
The unhygienic reason why you shouldn’t make your bed in the morning
By Nicola Appleton published
Fully making your bed in the morning could be turning your sleep space into a bacterial breeding ground – here’s why.
How to survive Christmas party season without sacrificing your sleep
By Nicola Appleton published
Yes, you can cut loose at the office Christmas party without losing a wink of sleep — here’s how.
Why a weighted blanket is the perfect Christmas gift for the person who has everything
By Nicola Appleton published
A weighted blanket can ease anxiety symptoms, helping your loved one to rest easily and peacefully.
Is sleeping on your stomach bad for you? Yes, but you can fix that — here’s how
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Sleeping on your stomach can cause back, neck, and shoulder pain. Here’s how to fix that.
7 signs that you’re in sleep debt and don’t even know it
By Nicola Appleton published
From poor memory, low moods, and difficulty concentrating — these are the seven key signs that you could be in sleep debt without even realizing it.
What is sleep debt and can it ever really be paid back?
By Nicola Appleton published
Sleep debt, also known as sleep deficit, is when you get less sleep than your body needs. It's possible to pay back some sleep debt, but not all. Here's how.
7 sleep techniques to banish the Sunday Scaries and help you fall asleep fast
By Nicola Appleton published
From The Military Sleep Method to guided breathing, use these sleep techniques to banish your Sunday Scaries for good.
3 reasons to buy a mattress in this weekend's sales — don't wait for Black Friday
By Nicola Appleton published
Stock levels are high, shipping is fast and the deals are red hot. We’re calling it — now is the best time to buy a new mattress, not Black Friday weekend.