Ruth Jones

Ruth Jones

Senior Sleep staff Writer

Ruth is an experienced Senior Staff writer at Tom’s Guide, covering all things sleep and mattresses. She writes to help people sleep better, from how-tos to the latest deals to mattress reviews, and has interviewed an array of experts who share her passion. She is also our specialist on memory foam — she’s flown around the world to see memory foam being made — and leads our hotel mattress content. She has a deep interest in the link between sleep and health, and has tried enough mattresses, from Helix to Nectar to Simba, to know the right bed really can make a difference to your wellbeing. Before joining the team at Tom’s Guide, Ruth worked as a sleep and mattress writer for our sister website, TechRadar.

Latest articles by Ruth Jones

An older woman lies in bed asleep

Over 65? Doctors say spending less time in bed could increase how much deep sleep you get — here's how and why it's vital for ageing well

By Ruth Jones published

Presented by Helix Sleep

Deep sleep declines with age, but experts explain how maximizing sleep efficiency can help seniors enjoy more deep sleep and avoid 3 a.m. wake ups.

Sleep
A woman sleeps peacefully in her bed under a white duvet, while a small stack of books can be seen on her bedside table

'You're not winding down, your stimulating your nervous system' — expert pinpoints the nighttime routine mistake that kept waking me up at 3 a.m. and the $10 gadget that stopped it

By Ruth Jones last updated

Can't keep your hands off your phone at bedtime? This analog alarm clock switch minimizes distractions so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep

Sleep
In the left corner, a closeup of a hand adjusting the temperature on a thermostat (Shutterstock.) In the main image, a man holds his pack and shoulder while sitting on the edge of his mattress, looking in pain (Getty)

Experts reveal why over 65s with back and hip pain need a warmer bedroom for sleeping — here’s the temperature they recommend

By Ruth Jones published

Pain experts explain how adjusting the thermostat can stop you waking up with tight, sore muscles, plus the bedding essentials to stay warm without overheating.

Sleep
A couple asleep in bed under white bedsheets, lying back to back

I asked the experts what’s the number one rule of good sleep hygiene and they all said the same thing

By Ruth Jones published

There’s no ‘easy fix’ for better sleep — but this gold-standard rule is the best starting point if you want to fall asleep fast and stay asleep.

Sleep
On the left, a close up of sleep tech writer Eve Davis wearing a sleep tracker while sleeping in bed. On the right, a close up of the Apple Watch Sleep Tracker showing the percentage for Awake, REM, Core and Deep Sleep

I’ve been tracking the amount of deep sleep I’m getting using my Apple Watch and I thought it was nowhere near enough — I asked a doctor and their answer surprised me

By Ruth Jones last updated

Two sleep doctors explain what deep sleep is, how much we need and the real number you should be looking for on your Apple Watch sleep tracker.

Sleep
On the left, a tired woman sits rubbing her eyes while holding a cup of coffee. On the right, a woman lies on her back in bed with a sleep mask on, sleeping well.

‘Your sleep banking account is in the red’ — an expert explains why I’m tired all the time, despite getting plenty of sleep at the weekend

By Ruth Jones published

Are you catching up on sleep or are you stealing sleep from the week ahead? An experts explains why you're feeling tired and what to do about it.

Sleep
This image shows a hand holding an iPhone showing the Tom's Guide best mattress page in grayscale. In the background is a bed and pillows

Forget blue light blocking for better sleep — this is the hidden iPhone feature to use instead

By Ruth Jones published

This hidden gem iPhone feature turns my phone from a carnival of excitement to an absolute snoozefest. Here's how to do it.

Sleep
A woman sits up in bed at night, unable to sleep. She has her hands covering her face.

Are your best years for sleeping behind you? Women’s health specialist shares what to expect in your 30s, 40s and 50s — and how to fight back

By Ruth Jones published

From pregnancy insomnia to postmenopause joint ache, women's hormones can cause a rollercoaster of sleep issues. Our experts explain what to do about it.

Sleep
A person reaches their hand out to their alarm clock from under their comforter.

Following the 7:1 sleep rule can add 4 years to your life, but sleeping in at the weekend is undoing all of your good work — an expert explains why

By Ruth Jones published

An expert explains how 'catching up on sleep' at the weekend might be ruining my sleep for the following week (and beyond), and the gold standard sleep habit I should stick to instead.

Sleep
On the left, a close up of hand holding a phone showing data insights from the Withings sleep tracker on the Withings app. On the right, a woman lies on her back in bed, sleeping peacefully

My sleep tracker says I keep waking up at 3 a.m. but an expert told me not worry as long as my sleep score also shows these 3 things

By Ruth Jones published

I thought my 3 a.m. wake ups were a disaster but my sleep tracker tells a different story. An expert explains why

Sleep
A woman lies in bed asleep next to an open window

This Nordic sleep hack will help you fall asleep fast — but experts issue warning to anyone waking up at 3am

By Ruth Jones published

I gave this cold weather sleep hack a go and asked doctors how to nail this Nordic favorite to avoid waking up in the night.

Sleep
On the left, a close up of a women sleeping soundly in bed. On the right, a woman holds a sheet as she makes the bed

Expert reveals the 10-minute bedroom decluttering task that's like a silver bullet for falling asleep in minutes — what happened when I tried it

By Ruth Jones last updated

The mess and clutter of an unmade bed can set off a cortisol spike right as you're trying to sleep. A professional organizer explains the fuss-free hacks for making your bed in the morning.

Sleep
On the left, the cover photo for the Calm Sleep Story 'Midnight Maps: Los Angeles', showing the LA landscape at night from Griffiths Observatory. On the right, a woman sits on the edge of her bed at night with her head in her hand, experiencing sleep anxiety (Getty)

I’m a massive overthinker and it keeps me awake at night — I asked an expert why and how to relax my mind

By Ruth Jones published

How this soothing alternative to guided meditation is helping calm my racing thoughts so I can fall asleep fast.

Sleep
Tom's Guide mattress tester sitting on the edge of the new Westin Heavenly Bed at the Westin New York at Times Square

This hotel sheet hack used by Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and more is helping me sleep through the night — here's why and how to do it at home

By Ruth Jones last updated

How this hotel sheet secret is helping me reclaim my sleep sanctuary — and making me actually want to do my laundry.

Sleep
A couple cuddle up under a blanket, enjoying a warm and cozy night

Two-thirds of adults want to 'hibernate like a bear' in winter — how 'hygge' is key to sleeping better and staying cozy without turning the heat up

By Ruth Jones published

Ready to hibernate? Our guide to creating a cozy sleep space, including one of the biggest bedroom trends of 2026.

Sleep
A close up of a hand operating the dial on a thermostat, adjusting the temperature to 68°F (Shutterstock.) In the bottom right corner is an insert of a women sleeping (Future)

Waking up at 5am? An expert explains why your thermostat might be to blame

By Ruth Jones published

We asked the experts if it's better for your sleep to turn the heat off overnight or leave it on. This is their advice...

Sleep
A woman lies asleep on the right side of the bed in side sleeping position (Getty). On the left side of the bed is a large pair of socks (Future)

Can't sleep? This one change could prevent late night wake ups — and make use of the bed socks you got for Christmas

By Ruth Jones last updated

Everyone's least favorite Christmas gift might be the key to better sleep, as bed socks help you maintain a cozy core temperature.

Sleep
A woman with a bigger build sits up in bed smiling. To the left, an insert showing a close up of a hand holding the corner of a thin mattress or thick mattress topper

Are 8-inch mattresses good for heavy people? I'm a sleep writer, here's my take

By Ruth Jones published

We explore if eight-inch mattresses can deliver the support and comfort a person weighing over 250lbs needs in a mattress.

Mattresses
A woman lying on her back in bed stretching as she wakes up smiling

I was struggling to get out of bed until I tried this golden sleep hygiene rule — now I get up early and feel full of energy from the start

By Ruth Jones published

How my SAD therapy light gets me out of bed and why you need to add some sunshine to your winter mornings.

Sleep
An illustration of a person wearing a yellow sweater in bed with the cold or flu, against a greay background. The person is holding a warm drink, lying propped up on pillows, with a thermometer in their mouth

Doctors share 5 essential tips for how to sleep with the flu — plus the best position to lie in if you have a cough

By Ruth Jones published

The coughing, fever and body aches of 'super flu' might leave you struggling to sleep but our tips can help you enjoy some precious rest.

Sleep Problems
On the left, an image of a woman sleeping soundly in bed. On the right, a notebook with the phrase "New Year Resolutions" written at the top of the page, followed by a list numbered one to four. The notebook is surrounded by brightly colored post its

Beat Quitter's Day 2026 with this simple sleep hack

By Ruth Jones last updated

A New Year's resolution you'll want to keep and that can help you reach your other goals? You're not dreaming, it's the Military Sleep Method.

Sleep
A suitcase in front of a mattress in a luxury hotel room

What mattress does the Four Seasons hotel use — and the best alternatives to try

By Ruth Jones last updated

We look at what makes the Four Seasons Signature Mattress so luxurious — plus what affordable alternatives compare

Mattresses
A woman lies in bed in the middle of the night, staring at the clock. In the top left corner, an image of a woman sitting up and reading a book during the night

I’ve been using this gold standard sleep method for years and according to my sleep tracker, it works — here’s how to do it

By Ruth Jones published

The 15 minute sleep rule is my go-to for beating nighttime anxiety and my sleep tracker has the proof

Sleep
A woman with a cold lies in bed and blows her nose, struggling to sleep. In the top right corner is a close up of a hand adjusting the temperature on a thermostat set to 68°F

Expert warns this common mistake could prevent you from sleeping when you have a cold

By Ruth Jones published

An expert explains how a simple thermostat adjustment can help you sleep better when you have a cold or the flu, plus advice on getting quality rest when you feel unwell.

Sleep
A member of our mattress testing team jumps onto the Nolah Original All Foam Mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom. She dives onto the bed ready to hit the cushioned comfort layers

5 red flags you bought the wrong mattress — and what you can do about it

By Ruth Jones last updated

Three budget-friendly tips to turn your fresh-out-the-box mattress into a sleep snctuary, plus what to do if none of them work.

Mattresses
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