
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

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.

Everything you need to know about non-toxic mattresses for greener sleep.
By Nicola Appleton published
Everything you need to know about non-toxic mattresses for greener sleep.

5 things to avoid right before bed if you want to sleep through the night
By Nicola Appleton published
Avoid these five things right before bed if you want to fall asleep fast and sleep through the night.

This is the worst type of mattress to buy if you have back pain
By Nicola Appleton published
There are so many myths around mattress for back pain – here's what to avoid and what to buy instead.

How much does a mattress cost and how much should you spend?
By Nicola Appleton published
There’s a mattress to suit every budget and sleep style, so let’s break down what'll you get for your money whether you have a few hundred to spend thousands.

3 reasons to buy a new mattress this weekend — don’t wait for the Presidents’ Day sales
By Nicola Appleton published
The deals are red hot but the mattresses are selling out fast — don’t wait for the Presidents’ Day sales to buy the bed you’ve got your eye on.

Neuroscientist explains why we binge eat and doom scroll more after a bad night’s sleep
By Nicola Appleton published
A neuroscientist explains how to break the cycle of bad decision making and get better sleep tonight.

What is the Beautyrest Black and should you buy it in the Presidents’ Day mattress sales?
By Nicola Appleton published
You can save up to $1,100 on the Beautyrest Black in an early Presidents' Day mattress sale. But should you buy it? Let's find out...

Why you should sleep with the windows open — even in winter
By Nicola Appleton published
‘‘Lüften’ is a simple but effective sleep hack that can immediately improve your sleep quality. Here’s how…

DreamCloud vs DreamCloud Premier Rest mattress: both are 50% off today, but which is best for you?
By Nicola Appleton published
There’s 50% off both the DreamCloud Hybrid and the DreamCloud Premier Rest in an early Presidents’ Day sale — but which mattress should you buy?

Beautyrest Harmony Lux vs Beautyrest Black: Which luxury mattress should you buy?
By Nicola Appleton published
Beautyrest has launched its Presidents’ Day sale and both the Harmony Lux and Beautyrest Black are reduced in price, but which should you choose? Here’s how to pick...

Sleep expert shares biggest mistake people make when waking up in the middle of the night
By Nicola Appleton published
Staying asleep all night is hard — here are three things you should do if you keep waking up in the middle of the night, and one thing to avoid at all costs.

How to make a memory foam mattress sleep cooler
By Nicola Appleton published
Memory foam mattresses can trap heat and cause you to overheat — here are five ways to help your memory foam mattress sleep cooler.

What is the Beautyrest Harmony Lux mattress and should you buy it in the Presidents' Day sales?
By Nicola Appleton published
We take a closer look at the Beautyrest Harmony Lux mattress, helping you to decide whether it's worth the splurge this Presidents' Day.

Loved the Scandinavian Sleep Method? Try these 7 hacks for cleaner, better sleep
By Nicola Appleton published
From airing your duvet in freezing temperatures to hot baths before bed, there's more to Scandi sleep hacks than separate blankets.

There’s only one real benefit of sleeping naked — but it’s a big one, even in winter
By Nicola Appleton published
It might go against your natural instinct to stay warm, but sleeping naked in winter can benefit your sleep in a big way — here’s how.

Can an apple really wake you up faster than a cup of coffee? A nutritionist responds
By Nicola Appleton published
Some say an apple is better at waking you up than a cup of coffee, but is that true? Here’s what the nutritionists say...

DreamCloud has launched its early Presidents' Day sale, but is it any good?
By Nicola Appleton published
Prices start at $449 for DreamCloud's best-selling hybrid mattress this weekend, but should you buy now or wait for the Presidents' Day sales?

Should you take melatonin gummies to fall asleep fast? Here's what a doctor thinks
By Nicola Appleton published
Two sleep doctors answer everything you need to know about melatonin gummies, including the side effects, how long they last and how many you should take.

Not all mattress covers can be removed for washing — here's why
By Nicola Appleton published
Only remove your mattress cover for washing if the manufacturer explicitly states its safe to do so. Here’s why...

This is why doctors drink coffee before taking a power nap
By Nicola Appleton published
A doctor on TikTok explains how combining your coffee with a daytime power nap maximises your energy levels post-sleep.
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