
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.

Get a top-rated DreamCloud mattress for just $419 in this weekend's sale
By Nicola Appleton published
Spring clean your sleep with 50% off the DreamCloud Mattress, plus get a heavily discounted bedding bundle thrown in too.

I track mattress prices for a living, and now is the best time to buy the Saatva Rx
By Nicola Appleton published
Today's Saatva sale means you can buy a queen size Saatva Rx mattress for $2,801, which is a huge saving of $494.

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.

Avocado Green Mattress vs PlushBeds Botanical Bliss: Which organic bed is best for your sleep?
By Nicola Appleton published
In this Avocado Green vs PlushBeds Botanical Bliss comparison piece, we’ll look at which organic mattress is best for your sleep.

Save up to $1,100 on the Beautyrest Black in today’s Presidents’ Day mattress sales
By Nicola Appleton published
The Beautyrest Black is up to $1,100 cheaper in today’s Presidents’ Day mattress sales, offering the latest in customizable support at a fraction of the price.

How to create a luxury sleep setup for $1,000 in Presidents' Day mattress sales — bed, pillows, sheets and more
By Nicola Appleton published
For less than $1,000 in Presidents' Day mattress sales you can transform your sleep space with many of this year's top-rated sleep products — here's how...

I track mattress deals for a living — 3 luxury beds I’d buy in today’s Presidents’ Day sales
By Nicola Appleton published
With savings of up to $800, the Saatva Classic, Beautyrest Harmony Lux and the Helix Midnight Luxe are the three luxury hybrid mattresses I’d buy in today’s Presidents’ Day sales.

The 5 best Presidents’ Day mattress topper deals to instantly refresh your bed
By Nicola Appleton published
Transform your old mattress for less with these epic Presidents' Day bed topper deals, including 40% off the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt.

I track mattress prices for a living and these are the best Presidents’ Day sales for plus size bodies
By Nicola Appleton published
Three of the best mattresses for heavy people have been reduced in new Presidents’ Day sales.

I’m a sleep writer and this is the luxury mattress I'd buy in Presidents’ Day sales
By Nicola Appleton published
The Stearns & Foster Lux Estate is the luxury bed I recommend to friends — and it's now $400 cheaper in the Presidents’ Day sales.

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.
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