Frances Daniels

Frances Daniels

Senior Sleep Staff Writer

Frances Daniels is a PPA-accredited journalist and Sleep Staff Writer at Tom's Guide with an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University. Her role includes covering mattress and sleep news and writing sleep product reviews and buyer's guides, including our Best Hybrid Mattress 2025 guide. She is interested in the relationship between sleep and health, interviewing an array of experts to create in-depth articles about topics such as nutrition, sleep disorders, sleep hygiene, and mattress care. She is also our specialist on mattress toppers — producing bed topper reviews and taking care of our Best Mattress Toppers 2025 guide — and leads content relating to fiberglass-free beds for a non-toxic sleep. Outside of Tom's Guide, she has written for Ideal Home and Marie Claire.

Latest articles by Frances Daniels

The Birch Elite Natural Mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom. A member of our testing team lies on the left side of the mattress on her back, while another mattress tester sits on the right hand side of the mattress. They're testing the motion isolation, to determine if one person getting into a bed disturbs the other
Always tired? Experts share 5 signs that your mattress is to blame and how to fix it

By Frances Daniels Published

The wrong mattress might be why you're exhausted every morning — experts share the most common signs you need a new bed.

Mattresses
A woman sleeping on her side peacefully with the curtains open slightly letting some light in
For years my sleep schedule was all over the place but I’ve been sticking to the ‘7:1’ rule with these expert-approved tips — and it could help me live 4 years longer

By Frances Daniels Last updated

These are the 5 expert-approved strategies I rely on to stick a consistent sleep schedule for better health and a longer life

Sleep
A menopausal woman practices Tai Chi. A circular frame features a woman sleeping above her.
Experts reveal the ancient wellbeing practice proven to help fight insomnia during menopause — and how to do it

By Frances Daniels Published

Instead of asking women to sit still and 'empty their minds'... it gives the brain something gentle and rhythmic to focus on'

Sleep
A woman lies awake on her back in bed at night. She has her arms behind her head.
Stop waking up at 3am — 7 quick fixes you can do today, according to a sleep expert

By Frances Daniels Last updated

From a quick stroll to two-second hacks, here's are the simple things that can help you sleep all night long and avoid 'middle insomnia.'

Sleep
A split screen of a foot reflexology diagram and a sleeping woman.
'I tried foot reflexology and my sleep quality improved after just one session' — here's how

By Frances Daniels Published

Reflexology promotes relaxation — here's what happened to my sleep after trying it

Sleep
A woman in blue pajamas wakes up at 3am from insomnia.
Sleep expert reveals why the height of your bed could be why you can't fall asleep and why you keep waking up through the night — and how to fix it

By Frances Daniels Published

A sleep doctor reveals why the height of your bed could be the reason you can't fall asleep. Plus, practical advice on how to overcome it.

Mattresses
A split screen shows an image of a woman fast asleep on the left, and an image of 1 cup of strawberries on the right.
Science says this easy diet change can boost sleep quality by 16% in just 24 hours — I tried it for a week and here are my results

By Frances Daniels Published

I also asked a Registered Dietician to talk me through the advice and to create a 'good sleep prescription' based off what researchers are recommending

Sleep
A woman with blonde hair sleeps surrounded by alarm clocks of different colours
I sleep less than 7 hours a night and didn't think it was an issue until a recent study said otherwise — an expert explains more

By Frances Daniels Published

I function well on around six hours a night, but now I'm wondering if I should try to sleep more and, if so, how?

Sleep Problems
A smiling blonde woman reads in bed at night. In the top left foreground, a circular frame features a close up of the woman's hands using ChatGPT for sleep advice.
I asked ChatGPT and a board-certified sleep doctor what the 'perfect' nighttime routine looks like — here's the clear winner and why

By Frances Daniels Published

I asked a (human) sleep doctor and AI to create me an ideal nighttime routine — this is the one who actually gave me good advice

Sleep Problems
A brunette woman with a ponytail sitting on the bed of her childhood bedroom.
'Your body has a physical ‘memory’' — doctors share the 5 reasons why I found it impossible to sleep over the holidays

By Frances Daniels Published

Doctors share the 5 reasons why I found it impossible to sleep over the holidays

Sleep
The image shows a close up shot of a dark haired woman sleeping with her head tested on a white pillow or the left, while Oprah Winfrey is seen wearing a purple suit while stood on stage on the right, in a side by side composition
"Don't lose three hours by endlessly scrolling through social media," 5 key sleep hygiene habits of highly successful people and how they help you sleep for longer after just one night

By Frances Daniels Last updated

Some of the most successful people in the world, from CEOs to world leaders, share these five sleep habits

Sleep
A four-piece collage of sleeping women, essential oils, and a candle pasted on to a blue marble background.
So, you got an aromatherapy set for Christmas — here’s how to use essential oils and candles in your sleep routine

By Frances Daniels Published

An aromatherapist explains how to use those unwanted essential oils and candles to fall asleep fast.

Sleep
Woman sleeping on the couch with the Bearaby weighted blanket draped over her
Best Weighted Blankets 2026

By Becky George Last updated

Rest easy in 2026 with our best 6 weighted blankets tried, tested and approved by experts.

Pillows & Bedding
The Panda London Bamboo Mattress Topper on a mattress. A price drop deals badge is seen in the top left foreground.
The bamboo mattress topper I use to make any mattress softer is 10% off in the Boxing Day sales — now from £90

By Frances Daniels Published

Panda's Boxing Day sale is taking up to 25% off all its sleep products, but I'd check out the Bamboo Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Mattress Toppers
Dormeo's Octasmart Deluxe Memory Foam Mattress on a wooden bed frame. A price drop deals badge is seen in the top right foreground.
I slept on Dormeo's plush cooling tech and loved it — here's the mattress I'd buy in its Boxing Day sale

By Frances Daniels Published

Dormeo is throwing a Boxing Day sale, and its Octasmart Deluxe Memory Foam Mattress is perfect for side sleepers who need cooling comfort

Mattresses
A young family sit on a bed wearing matching green pajamas with a festive pattern.
Dermatologists reveal the gross reason why you should wash your new Christmas pajamas before wearing them — especially if you have this condition

By Frances Daniels Published

Thinking of wearing your brand new Christmas pajamas without washing them first? Skin experts are urging you to think again for this health reason

Sleep
Two female testers change the bedding of a bed in a blue bedroom.
Taking a Christmas vacation? This is what I do before I leave to fall asleep fast when I return

By Frances Daniels Published

If you're about to leave for Christmas vacation, remember to do this before you go — your sleep will thank you for it. Plus, what to do if you've already left...

Sleep
The Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 700FM sunrise alarm on a warmly-lit bedside table.
Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 700FM review 2025: A premium alarm clock that provides a gentle and refreshing wake-up call

By Frances Daniels Published

Editor's Choice

I tested the Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 700FM for three months to see if it lives up to price tag. Here's why it definitely does...

Sleep Tech
A four-image collage of someone making a hard mattress softer.
Over 60% of us have trouble sleeping away at Christmas — 3 tricks to make the guest room mattress softer

By Frances Daniels Published

From a DIY mattress topper to strategic pillow placement, here's how to make their guest room bed more comfortable fast

Mattresses
A group of sleep essentials from Amazon, displayed on a bed, with Christmas lights and a travel suitcase in the background.
Sleep Survival Kit: 12 products to help you sleep well in the busiest of houses this holiday season

By Frances Daniels Published

Noisy relatives? Here's what can help you sleep cozy and uninterrupted this Christmas — including a cheaper-than-Black-Friday white noise machine

Sleep
Christmas hot chocolate with marshmallows
No, hot chocolate isn't good for sleep — health expert explains why you should swap it for this 'golden' drink instead

By Frances Daniels Published

Hot chocolate is the quintessential cozy beverage, but a dietician tells us it's not so good for our sleep...

Sleep
Woman with hair in towel relaxes at night with a bowl of cereal
Doctor warns this common food is wrecking our sleep — and we eat over 30lbs of it a year

By Frances Daniels Published

This popular nutritious ingredient is surprisingly disruptive to your sleep, according to experts. Here's why and what to eat instead...

Sleep Problems
A stack of mattress toppers on top of a mattress
I'm a mattress topper expert — my top 5 tips for getting a good deal this Black Friday

By Frances Daniels Last updated

Looking for a mattress topper this Black Friday? Here's a quick guide to finding a good deal in the sales

Mattress Toppers
Two Tom's Guide Sleep Writers lying next to each other on their side on the Saatva Classic mattress
Beginner’s guide to Black Friday mattress deals — 5 key things to remember before you shop

By Frances Daniels Last updated

The Black Friday mattress deals have landed — but before you shop, follow our guide to the 5 things you should know

Mattresses
Two of our mattress testers sit on the Siena Signature Mattress on a bed frame in our testing studio. On the left, Nicola Appleton sits close to the side of the mattress to test the edge support. On the right, Frances Daniels sits on the sleeping area of the bed to better understand the comfort.
An expensive mattress isn't always best — meet the cheap memory foam bed that outperformed many luxury rivals in our testing

By Frances Daniels Published

We've tested and re-tested the Siena Signature Mattress, and this budget memory foam impressed in these three benefits...

Mattresses
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