Phoenix psychologist on overcoming burnout during stay-at-home order

PHOENIX — Arizona residents spent the entire month of April living with the restrictions imposed by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home executive order — and many are beginning to feel emotionally frustrated. “I feel like after this week, we’ve run into this feeling of our mood being down, feeling really tired and just kind of hitting the wall,” said Dr. Melissa Estavillo, a clinical psychologist at Biltmore Psychology and Counseling. “Feeling like, ‘how long is this going to last?’ And, ‘I’m just so tired from all of this.’” With the state’s stay-at-home order now extended until at least May 15, the Valley mental health professional believes it’s extremely common to feel burned out right now. “When it feels like we’re going nonstop and it feels like no matter what we do, we’re not getting to the end, the common response is a feeling of burn out,” Estavillo said. She recommends Arizonans focus on aspects of their lives they can control and let go of those they cannot. “It actually is a wonderful thing to be able to say, this is something that I didn’t anticipate, didn’t bring about, something that obviously is super overwhelming,” Estavillo added. “There’s so much about this whole process that is not within our control.” Estavillo also encourages individuals struggling emotionally with the coronavirus outbreak to create structure where possible. “For a lot of us, as much as we don’t like it, we actually thrive in structure and regularity,” she said. “And in the midst of all this we have lost a lot of that.” She also recommends setting a plan that reinforces accountability — whether that’s creating a to do list or setting time frames for things to be done or taking time for oneself. “Boundaries are going to be even more important during this time,” She said. “As much as I hate driving and being in traffic – ironically there was some value in being able to have some space and boundaries between home and work.” Finally, now that the line between home and work has been blurred, Estavillo encourages employees to take time off when it’s due as a way of managing mental health.   Listen here: https://ktar.com/story/3112327/phoenix-psychologist-on-overcoming-burnout-during-stay-at-home-order/