There’s an old story about a woodcutter who is furiously sawing at a tree. A passerby notices he’s been at it for hours and suggests: “Why don’t you take a break and sharpen your saw?” The woodcutter, without pausing, replies: “I can’t stop, I’m too busy cutting.”
This story has endured for good reason — it’s a simple metaphor underpinning a deep truth. We often push ourselves endlessly, believing that stopping to rest, recalibrate, or care for ourselves is wasted time. But without “sharpening the saw” our efforts become less effective, and over time we burn out.
There’s a lot of buzz on social media at the moment about cortisol detox. While the term might sound like just another wellness trend, it’s an indication of something really important: a collective sense of exhaustion.
Cortisol is what keeps our bodies alert and active until what ever is causing our stress has gone away. When we lived in caves, this fight-or-flight mechanism is what would have kept us running, fighting or alert whilst getting away from our predators.
But, today, our chronic stressors are not predators — they’re work deadlines, which can overwhelm us, lack of sleep and digital overload. The result is that our cortisol levels remain elevated for far too long.
Just like the woodcutter, many of us are pushing through the fatigue, grinding away with dull blades, ignoring the signals our bodies are sending. And, while “detoxing” cortisol isn’t something we can medically do, the idea behind it is actually sound. It’s about stepping back to reset, to slow down, to sharpen the blade.
The practices associated with cortisol detox — better sleep, managing stress, mindfulness, good nutrition and intentional rest — are recognised for their health benefits. They’re the modern equivalent of sharpening the saw. They remind us that energy isn’t infinite, and that productivity suffers when we never pause.
In a world where busyness is encouraged, choosing to rest can feel like weakness. But, the wisdom is timeless: stopping doesn’t mean failing; it means working smarter. It means giving yourself the tools to thrive long-term instead of burning out in the short term.
So, the next time you feel wired, tired, or stuck in overdrive, think of the woodcutter. And maybe, just maybe, it’s time to step back, breathe and sharpen your saw.