If your breathing is 2 out of 10, I assume you mean you have:

-shortness of breath
-can't hold your breath
-take sudden gasps of air

These are signs of chronic sub-conscious hyperventilation. Very common symptom of chronic stress.

Hyperventilation leads to a lot of secondary symptoms due to peripheral neuropathy (flashes of light, numb hands, cold extremities)

If you look through my old posts, I solved this with Buteyko Breathing. It helps alot, but more is needed.

With all due respect, I hear a lot from adrenal fatigue folks "I can't meditate"

That is like saying I can't play the piano because I am not good at. How do you get good at playing the piano .... practice.

When I first started meditating, I felt like a caged animal trying to sit there.

Even if meditation doesn't FEEL like it is working, it is.

The whole point is to get better at watching your mind so you can catch yourself spiraling into anger, envy, worry, and all the other negative emotions that create stress

Try this simple meditation.... it's an active one.

Do everything is Tai Chi slow motion.

Wash your hair, put away the dishes, fold the clothes, etc.

It tends to calm you down pretty quick, while also strengthening your mindfulness.

Force yourself to do seated meditation as well.

Seriously ... it is super helpful to practice meditation to calm your nervous system.

Right now, you are still in "looking for a quick fix" mode. We've all been there. Very common for the first few years after "crashing". Just get past that faster than I did :)

Good luck.