
Nicola Appleton
Nicola is the Sleep Editor at Tom’s Guide, where she helps steer the mattress and sleep content published on Tom’s Guide, including our Best Mattress for Back Pain buying guide. With a career in journalism spanning the best part of two decades, Nicola brings experience to the team and the knowledge of what makes a great article, whether that’s a how-to mattress cleaning feature, a deep dive into melatonin gummies, or an in-depth mattress review. As a sleep editor, few better understand how important a decent mattress is to the overall quality of our sleep, and precisely how our sleep impacts our physical and mental health. As well as tackling the vast topic of sleep, Nicola joins the raft of expert mattress specialists at Tom’s Guide, who test and compare a wide range of mattresses in order to guide readers towards the very best options on the market.
Latest articles by Nicola Appleton

I'm a sleep editor — don’t miss these Labor Day mattress bedding bundle deals
By Nicola Appleton published
Today’s top Labor Day mattress sales include free bedding bundles. Here’s the deals that I recommend.

I'm a sleep editor — the luxury hybrid I tell my friends to buy is $775 off this Labor Day
By Nicola Appleton published
There's 27% off the Helix Midnight Luxe in this weekend's Labor Day sales, plus a free bedding bundle worth up to $418.

Is it better value to buy the Helix Midnight instead of the Luxe this Labor Day? I've looked at the deals, here's my take
By Nicola Appleton published
There’s 27% off both the Helix Midnight and the Midnight Luxe this Labor Day — but which bed is better value?

The Helix Midnight Luxe mattress is 25% off today, but should you buy now or wait for Labor Day sales?
By Nicola Appleton published
Should you buy the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress now, or will you get a better deal by waiting for Labor Day?

Two nights of bad sleep makes you feel four years older, study shows
By Nicola Appleton published
According to a study by Stockholm University, quality sleep is a key factor in feeling young.

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.

I’m a sleep editor with a budget of $200 — here's how I'm updating my guest bedroom this Prime Day
By Nicola Appleton published
I’m a sleep editor with a budget of $200 — here's how I'm updating my guest bedroom with bed sheets, pillows, weighted blanket and a mattress topper this Prime Day.

3 top-rated mattresses I'd buy in today's Amazon deals and not wait for Prime Day
By Nicola Appleton published
These are 3 top-rated mattresses I'd buy in today's Amazon deals and not wait for Prime Day, with prices starting at under $200 for a queen.

5 early Prime Day back to college bedding deals I'd buy for my kids — toppers, sheets, pillows and more
By Nicola Appleton published
I’m a sleep writer and a parent — here’s 5 early Prime Day back to college dorm bedding deals I’d buy for my kids, including toppers, sheets, pillows and more.

I’m a sleep writer with back pain — here’s why the Nolah Evolution 15” is worth it at up to $1,000 off
By Nicola Appleton published
I’m a sleep writer with back pain — here’s why the Nolah Evolution 15” is worth it at up to $1,000 off. Plus, get two free pillows.

4th of July mattress sales 2024: Our top picks, plus the best deals on bedding
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Our deals experts have found the best mattress sales live today, including an exclusive 4th of July discount that saves you up to 60% on a super-popular memory foam bed-in-a-box.

Which Helix mattress should you buy in the 4th of July sales? I’m a mattress tester, here’s my take
By Nicola Appleton published
Helix's 4th of July mattress sale knocks up to 30% off their top-rated beds - but which one should you buy? I'm a mattress tester, here's what I think

Going to bed late could damage your mental health, new study says
By Nicola Appleton published
Staying up late could be harming your mental health, says a study. We explore why — plus how to fix your sleep schedule, according to an expert.

3 luxury mattresses that are worth their premium price tag
By Nicola Appleton published
The best luxury mattresses provide a unique sleep experience and next-level comfort — 3 beds that are worth their premium price tag.

I slept on the Helix Midnight Luxe and yes you should definitely buy it in today's 30% off Memorial Day sale
By Nicola Appleton published
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a dream for side sleepers — and I should know, I slept on it for seven weeks. Take 30% off the Luxe this Memorial Day, and get two free pillows.

What is the Helix Plus mattress for bigger builds and should you buy it?
By Nicola Appleton published
The Helix Plus is one of the best mattresses for heavy people, but is it the right mattress for you to buy? Let’s take a look.

Saatva Latex Hybrid vs Awara Natural: Which luxury mattress best suits your sleep needs?
By Nicola Appleton published
We look at the key differences between the Saatva Latex Hybrid vs Awara Natural mattress, comparing price, design, comfort, and more.

I’m a sleep writer with back pain — this is the Saatva Memorial Day mattress sale I've been waiting for
By Nicola Appleton published
Our exclusive Saatva’s Memorial Day mattress sale is live, and it means that the Saatva Rx is now just as cheap as it was during Black Friday.

Helix Midnight vs Amerisleep AS3 Mattress: Key differences and how to choose
By Nicola Appleton published
We compare the Helix Midnight and the Amerisleep AS3 mattress in terms of comfort, design and price to help you choose between them.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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