
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

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.

Quick! Buy a queen size Tempur Adapt mattress topper for just $251 in the Amazon Big Spring Sale
By Nicola Appleton published
The Tempur-Adapt mattress topper boasts 3 inches of NASA-developed Tempur foam — and it's currently 40% off in the Amazon Big Spring Sale.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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...

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.

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.
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