Nicola Appleton

Nicola Appleton

Sleep Editor

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

A woman stifles a yawn as she looks out of the window during her commute

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.

Sleep
A woman smiles and stretches in bed after a great night's sleep

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.

Sleep
Sleep Innovations 4-Inch Cooling Comfort Dual Layer Mattress Topper with Amazon Prime Day deal badge overlaid on top

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.

Pillows & Bedding
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a happy couple sits on top of the bed, a Tom's Guide price drop deal's graphic (left)

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.

Mattresses
A cosy looking bed sits in the middle of a college dorm room - a Tom's Guide Price Drop deals badge is laid over the top of the image

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.

Pillows & Bedding
The Nolah Evolution 15 Mattress in a luxury bedroom with a blue price drop sale badge overlaid

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.

Mattresses
4th of July mattress sales 2024 image shows a stack of hybrid, memory foam and latex mattresses placed on top of each other on a teal-coloured background and with a blue price drop deals badge overlaid in the bottom right hand corner

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.

Mattresses
Tom's Guide Sleep Features Editor and Staff Writer lay on the Helix Midnight Luxe during testing

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

Mattresses
A woman sits up in bed unable to sleep

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.

Sleep
The Puffy Royal mattress against a neutral colour schemed bedroom

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.

Mattresses
Tom's Guide Sleep Features Editor and Staff Writer lay on the Helix Midnight Luxe during testing

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.

Mattresses
A man sits cross-legged on top of a Helix Plus mattress, in a white bedroom

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.

Mattresses
The Saatva Latex Hybrid is seen on the left hand side of the image, while the Awara Natural Hybrid mattress is seen on the right

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.

Mattresses
The Saatva RX in a sunny bedroom

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.

Mattresses
The Helix Midnight mattress is seen on the left of the image and the Amerisleep AS3 is seen on the right hand side of the image

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.

Mattresses
A woman lays on her back in bed with her smartphone held in front of her face with two hands after waking up from a night's sleep

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.

Sleep
A person holds a magnifying glass over a bed to spot bed bugs inside a mattress

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.

Mattress Care
A woman wearing a white singlet and pink pyjamas bottoms sleeps on her stomach on top of a white duvet and pillows

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.

Sleep
Helix Midnight Luxe mattress with our sleep editor lying on it

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.

Mattresses
Close up of TEMPUR-Adapt Topper on a bed, with a Price Drop graphic overlaid

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.

Mattress Toppers
A man sits on the edge of his bed, with a hand held to his hip and neck.

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.

Mattresses
A woman sleep on her side with a black Sleep Crown pillow placed over her eyes

I tried TikTok’s viral sweater sleep hack — here’s what happened

By Nicola Appleton published

Sponsored

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.

Sleep
A woman laying on her back on a light gray Ostrichpillow

I've swapped my cheap microfiber pillow for a luxury memory foam — here's how it's changing my sleep

By Nicola Appleton published

Sponsored

Is the $120 Ostrichpillow worth its luxury price tag? I’ve been sleeping on for weeks — here’s what I think.

Pillows & Bedding
A woman with dark curly hair and glasses sleeps on her side on a blue sofa with her mouth open

Why have I started snoring — and how can I stop? A doctor responds

By Nicola Appleton published

Sponsored

If you’ve recently started snoring, the first thing to do is to rule out sleep apnea, advises a board certified physician.

Sleep Problems
A woman holds her jaw in pain after grinding her teeth

Why do I grind my teeth in my sleep? A leading neuroscientist answers

By Nicola Appleton published

Sponsored

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.

Sleep Problems
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