
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

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.

Game-changing new wearable detects obstructive sleep apnea symptoms at home
By Nicola Appleton published
People with obstructive sleep apnea symptoms can now get a diagnosis and treatment much sooner, thanks to a pioneering sleep apnea detection device.

7 things in your bedroom that are keeping you awake at night — and how to fix them
By Nicola Appleton published
Longing to stay asleep all night? A certified sleep coach reveals the common bedroom mistakes that could be behind why you keep waking up.

Five mistakes people make when buying a mattress topper for back pain
By Nicola Appleton published
Avoid these five common mistakes people make when buying a mattress topper for back pain.

7 tips for sleeping better in 2024 — get the best sleep of your life this year
By Nicola Appleton published
I'm a sleep writer and these are the seven tips I'm following to get the best sleep of my life in 2024.

Expert reveals the best position to help you stay asleep all night if you keep waking up
By Nicola Appleton published
A sleep posture expert reveals the two ideal sleep positions to help you stay asleep all night – and it's bad news for stomach sleepers.

Bear vs Helix: Which mattress will best suit your sleep?
By Jo Plumridge published
We explore the key differences between the Bear Elite Hybrid and the Helix Dusk Luxe to help you decide which mattress you should invest in.

Cold shower vs warm bath: Which is best for sleep?
By Nicola Appleton published
Let’s take a closer look at whether a warm bath or a cold shower is best for promoting quality sleep.

Dakota Johnson sleeps 14 hours a night — what is oversleeping and is it bad for you?
By Nicola Appleton published
Sleep is important to our overall health, but oversleeping can make you feel more tired and increase you risk of disease – here's why...

I'm a sleep writer — this is how I help my kids to sleep well on Christmas Eve and not wake up super-early
By Nicola Appleton published
My failsafe guide to getting excited kids to sleep on Christmas Eve and to avoid them waking up at the crack of dawn.

Emma vs Casper: Which is the best hybrid for your sleeping style?
By Jo Plumridge published
Which mattress will give you the best night's sleep, the Emma Hybrid Comfort or the Casper Original Hybrid? Let's explore their key differences.

Nectar vs Emma: Which hybrid mattress will suit your sleep?
By Jo Plumridge published
From price, design, comfort and more, we explore the key differences between the Nectar Hybrid and the Emma Hybrid Comfort.

The unhygienic reason why you shouldn’t make your bed in the morning
By Nicola Appleton published
Fully making your bed in the morning could be turning your sleep space into a bacterial breeding ground – here’s why.

How to survive Christmas party season without sacrificing your sleep
By Nicola Appleton published
Yes, you can cut loose at the office Christmas party without losing a wink of sleep — here’s how.

Why a weighted blanket is the perfect Christmas gift for the person who has everything
By Nicola Appleton published
A weighted blanket can ease anxiety symptoms, helping your loved one to rest easily and peacefully.

5 luxury mattresses to shop now to have the perfect Christmas morning
By Nicola Appleton published
Give yourself the gift of sleep this Christmas with 5 luxury mattresses to shop now — but you’ll have to be quick.

Wow! Save up to $499 on the Birch Luxe Natural Mattress — buy now and get it for Christmas
By Nicola Appleton published
Give yourself the gift of a luxurious night’s sleep this Christmas with the Birch Natural Luxe Mattress, now up to $499 off.

7 signs that you’re in sleep debt and don’t even know it
By Nicola Appleton published
From poor memory, low moods, and difficulty concentrating — these are the seven key signs that you could be in sleep debt without even realizing it.

DreamCloud vs Helix: Which luxury hybrid mattress is best for sleep?
By Jo Plumridge published
It’s DreamCloud vs Helix in this luxury hybrid mattress head-to-head

What is sleep debt and can it ever really be paid back?
By Nicola Appleton published
Sleep debt, also known as sleep deficit, is when you get less sleep than your body needs. It's possible to pay back some sleep debt, but not all. Here's how.

DreamCloud vs Casper: Which luxury hybrid mattress is the best for sleep?
By Grace Franks published
DreamCloud takes on Casper in this hybrid head to head — but which mattress is best for your sleep?

Give the gift of sleep this Christmas with these last-minute Cyber Monday deals
By Nicola Appleton published
Pillows, weighted blankets, mattresses and more — a sleep writer's pick of the best Christmas sleep gifts still discounted in the Cyber Monday sales.

Saatva launches Cyber Monday sale but our VIP mattress discount is better — here’s why
By Nicola Appleton published
How to use our exclusive Saatva Cyber Monday sale offer to save $400 on the brand's three best luxury mattresses.
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