Nicola Appleton
Nicola Appleton is Sleep Features Editor at Tom’s Guide, specialising in quality news content surrounding sleep and wellbeing. Nicola cut her teeth as a journalist in a busy newsroom in Bristol, UK, 15 years ago as part of a team at Britain's largest independent press agency. Since then, her job as a journalist has taken her to the States, to Sydney, and then back to Blighty, where she has written and edited features for a whole host of prominent British and international brands, including The Independent, The Sydney Morning Herald, HuffPost, Refinery29, Stylist and more. As well as tackling the vast topic of sleep, Nicola will be joining the raft of expert mattress reviewers at Tom's Guide, helping steer readers towards the very best mattresses on the market.
Latest articles by Nicola Appleton
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…
If you see or smell this on your mattress, it has gone moldy — here’s what to do next
By Nicola Appleton published
A moldy mattress impacts your health and sleep quality, but it isn’t always easy to detect. We’ll walk you through how to spot mold on your mattress, plus what to do if you find it.
How to remove mattress stains — get rid of pee, vomit, yellow stains and more
By Nicola Appleton published
Accidents happen, so here's how to remove pee, vomit and yellow mattress stains in seven easy steps.
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.
7 signs that you have dust mites in your mattress — and why that's bad for your sleep
By Nicola Appleton published
You can’t see dust mites, but these are the seven tell-tale signs they're lurking in your mattress. Plus, we reveal how to get ride of dust mites quickly.
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.
Which is the best Nectar mattress in 2024? Everything you need to know
By Nicola Appleton published
Trying to choose the best Nectar mattress for you? Here's how to pick between the sleep brand's memory foam and hybrid beds.
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...
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...
The 7 best mattresses on Amazon 2024: browse these budget-friendly bedroom upgrades
By Ruth Hamilton last updated
Find the best Amazon mattress for your budget and sleep needs, courtesy of our expertly-curated list.
What is a nighttime routine for adults and how do they help you fall asleep faster?
By Nicola Appleton published
A nighttime routine can help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling energized — here's what you need to do.
This Helix Midnight Luxe mattress sale is epic — 25% off plus free luxury pillows
By Nicola Appleton published
A site-wide 25% off Helix flash sale means Black Friday levels of savings on the Helix Midnight Luxe, plus you'll get two free pillows worth $150.
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.
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...