Nicola Appleton
Nicola is the Sleep Editor at Tom’s Guide. With a career in journalism spanning 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

By Nicola Appleton Published
Wearing socks to bed can actually help lower your core temperature, explain doctors. But does it really work? I tried it to see.

By Alex Hughes Published
Laptops, smartphones, chatbots and more - these are our picks for the best AI devices and tools in 2025

By Nicola Appleton Published
Study shows that three nights of poor sleep can impact cardiovascular health.

By Nicola Appleton Last updated
A nighttime routine can help you fall asleep faster and wake up energized — here's what you need to do.

By Nicola Appleton Last updated
Accidents happen, so here's how to remove pee, vomit, smells, and yellow mattress stains in seven easy steps.

By Nicola Appleton, Ruth Jones Last updated
Which Nectar mattress is the bed in a box for you? Here's our guide to the Nectar mattress line-up, tested and chosen by experts.

By Nicola Appleton Published
Screen time in bed is linked to poor quality sleep, a new study shows — here’s why, plus how to break the habit.

By Nicola Appleton Last updated
Want to save money and switch your mattress for a bed topper? We don’t recommend it, here’s why…

By Nicola Appleton Last updated
Seven tell-tale signs dust mites are lurking in your mattress, plus how to get rid of them quickly.

By Nicola Appleton Last updated
Sleeping on your stomach can cause back, neck, and shoulder pain. But the right mattress can help with all that.

By Nicola Appleton Last updated
Dust mites can aggravate allergies and disrupt your sleep. Here’s how to remove them from your mattress, pillows and bedding.

By Nicola Appleton Published
Rather than focusing on how often you're waking at night, consider instead how rested you feel overall.

By Nicola Appleton Published
From how much to spend to what type to buy — 5 top tips for buying your first mattress in the Boxing Day sales.

By Nicola Appleton Last updated
This is how long it should take to fall asleep, according to a doctor. Plus why you shouldn't panic if it takes you 20 minutes.

By Nicola Appleton Last updated
Don't spend hours scrolling through sale sites — a sleep editors' guide to shopping the Black Friday mattress deals.

By Nicola Appleton Published
A mattress editor's tips for how to buy a mattress online and get it right, first time

By Nicola Appleton Published
We explore the common symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, plus outline what to do if you think you might have it.

By Nicola Appleton Published
I asked AI to create the perfect nighttime routine. Here’s how it compares to my own advice as a sleep editor.

By Nicola Appleton Published
According to a study by Stockholm University, quality sleep is a key factor in feeling young.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Here at Tom’s Guide our expert editors are committed to bringing you the best news, reviews and guides to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve!

