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

Fall asleep fast in a heatwave with this magnesium-packed bedtime iced tea — here's why it works and how to make it
By Ruth Jones published
Our fave summer sleep drink uses chamomile, cooling peppermint, and electrolyte-rich coconut water to lower your core temperature from the inside out

From the 'caveman method' to the 'frozen salt water fan trick' — 7 expert-approved ways to cool your bedroom and sleep well in a heatwave
By Ruth Jones published
Don't let a heatwave ruin your sleep. We've tested 7 ways to stay cool in bed and these were our winners.

Waking up at 3 a.m. was ruining my sleep score — until I tried the 7:1 sleep rule and now I'm hitting 90
By Ruth Jones published
From falling asleep faster to sleeping through the night, here's all the ways the 7:1 rule is boosting my sleep tracker data.

Reading in bed was causing me to wake up at 3 a.m. — until an insomnia expert made this simple routine tweak to help me sleep through
By Ruth Jones published
Reading in bed might help you destress but it can also cause this one major issue in your sleep. An expert explains why and what to do instead.

I tried a Chief Medical Officer's hack to fall asleep fast after waking up at 3 a.m. and it worked — here's why
By Ruth Jones published
It's all about putting the brakes on stressful, anxious thoughts so that you can drift back to sleep quickly

'I was exhausted after waking up at 3 a.m. each night — until I tried this 20-minute energy reset approved by doctors'
By Ruth Jones published
Are 3 a.m. wake-ups making you feel exhausted by midday? Try this 20-minute technique to beat the afternoon slump without ruining your nighttime sleep.

Is dreaming a sign of good sleep? It depends on one key factor, experts say
By Ruth Jones published
Dreams are a regular part of sleep but are your dream-filled nights a sign your sleep quality is being affected? I asked the experts and this is what they told me...

Anxiety and stress were keeping me awake — until experts shared a simple bedtime rule to help me fall asleep fast
By Ruth Jones published
Struggling to sleep due to anxiety and stress? Discover the simple, expert-backed bedtime rule that eased my racing mind so that I could fall asleep faster.

I kept waking up at 3 a.m. until I ditched this 'healthy' sleep habit — an expert explains why I had to stop it
By Ruth Jones published
Experts explain why your 'early nights' might actually be causing your poor sleep and 3 a.m. wake-ups, and how to catch up on rest without ruining your sleep...

This $2 household staple stops bed bugs ruining your vacation and is small enough to fit in your carry-on
By Ruth Jones published
Bed bug infestations often start with a vacation but you can avoid bringing pests home with this one simple item you can slip in your carry-on.

Waking up with zero energy this summer? You're probably making this common sleep mistake — here's how to fix it
By Ruth Jones published
Running a fan might seem like the only way to sleep in the summer heat but if you're making this common mistake, you might end up sleeping worse than ever.

No, you don't need 8 hours sleep a night — new study shows this is all the sleep you need for healthy aging
By Ruth Jones last updated
Research shows under-and over-sleeping can both lead to accelerated aging, plus the sweet spot sleep duration to aim for. With these expert tips you can get the right amount of rest every night.

What mattress does the Four Seasons hotel use? Here's where you can buy this 5-star luxury bed, plus how to find alternatives in the Memorial Day sales
By Ruth Jones last updated
We explore whether the Four Seasons Signature Mattress is actually worth buying in this year's Memorial Day sales — plus the luxury hotel-style deals we're shopping

Forget the Military Method — the '3-2-1 rule' helps me fall asleep in minutes and it's easier to use
By Ruth Jones published
The Military Sleep Method is a gold standard sleep hack but it's the 3-2-1 sleep rule that has me falling asleep fast. Here's how it works.

These 3 bed sheet colors increase your risk of a bed bug infestation
By Ruth Jones last updated
It's not just a style choice. Choosing the wrong color bedding can make your mattress more appealing to bed bugs but we have some simple hacks to make your bed a no-go area.

Slept for 7 or 8 hours but still exhausted? Work these 3 ‘sleep muscles’ for more energy, experts say
By Ruth Jones published
Morning exhaustion is often caused by poor sleep quality, even if you clocked 7, 8 or 9 hours in bed, but working these key 'sleep muscles' will turn things around.

I was sleeping 8 hours a night but waking up exhausted — until a doctor taught me 3 tricks for ‘switching off’ before bed
By Ruth Jones published
I thought 8 hours of sleep was enough, but stress was ruining my rest and recovery each night. These 3 simple doctor-approved tips have finally restored my morning energy levels.

A warm shower or bath before bed helps you fall asleep fast — but timing is key, sleep expert reveals
By Ruth Jones published
Showering or bathing before bed is a simple habit that tricks your body into going to sleep fast and waking up with energy, but timing it right is key.

‘More bacteria than a toilet seat’ — study reveals exactly when we need to wash pillowcases and bed sheets for healthier sleep
By Ruth Jones published
'Dirtier than a toilet seat': I found out how quickly bacteria teems on pillowcases and bed sheets and, well, I’m stripping my bed immediately

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.

'You're not winding down, you're 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

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.

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.

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.

‘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.
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