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 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.
Five signs you need a firm mattress for your back pain
By Nicola Appleton published
A firm mattress isn’t the only suitable sleep solution for back pain, but it could be — here’s how to tell.
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.
How to get rid of dust mites from your mattress, pillows and bedding
By Nicola Appleton published
Dust mites can aggravate allergies and disrupt your sleep. Here’s how to remove them from your mattress, pillows and bedding.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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