Based on the OP I have a somewhat similar background. Practice at interviewing never became a thing since responses were so far and few between. I was averaging around 100 applications per phone screen, and I think I ended up with maybe 3 interviews over the course of several months. It was a colossal waste of time.
Morale is certainly important. But so is talking with people. While the whole process is indeed emotionally exhausting, that is a sort of stamina skill that can and should be developed.