I’ll be the first to admit—when I heard about “breathwork,” I thought, Cool… but how is breathing going to help my ADHD? Turns out, the answer is: a lot more than I realized.
In one of my favorite episodes of the More Than ADHD™ Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with my friend Derek Baynton—former tech consultant turned breathwork coach—to unpack the science and soul behind using your breath as a tool for emotional regulation, stress management, and daily ADHD survival.
Derek’s journey is inspiring. He’s been in the corporate trenches. He’s “played the game” in business, and despite compiling many victories, he knew there was more to life than work. That’s one of the biggest reasons why Derek chose to transition from working on complex tech problems as a consultant to helping people solve something even more important—the way they breath! It sounds simple, right? But it’s wild how much control we can gain over our emotions, energy, and focus when we start with awareness of our breath.
Here’s what we talked about—and what really stuck with me.
🚨 Your Body is Talking. Are You Listening?👂
Our bodies send stress signals all the time. And one of the first signs? You guessed it – a change in our breathing! Whether it’s short, shallow breaths or mouth breathing instead of nasal, these patterns tell us that something’s off. We just don’t always stop to notice.
What surprised me the most from my conversation with Derek was learning that we’re the only species on the planet that can consciously control our breath—and that ability is powerful. When we shift from reactive to intentional breathing, we’re actually shifting how our brain and body handle stress. That’s a game-changer for folks with ADHD. It’s important to find time to practice breathing. If you’re struggling to honor that time alone, get a coach! It helps.
🌬️ Breathwork is More Than Breathing 🤓
This isn’t just about taking deep breaths when you’re overwhelmed (though that does help). It’s about building a practice. It’s about being aware of your patterns, using nasal breathing to tap into a calmer nervous system, and treating your breath as the stress-relieving tool you carry 24/7–which it is!
The more you practice breathwork, the more natural it becomes—and the more it helps you regulate your emotions, stay focused, and reset faster when things feel chaotic (which, let’s be honest, is pretty much every day with ADHD).
👃 Nasal Breathing = Secret Superpower
One of the biggest takeaways for me was learning how nasal breathing supports our health in ways mouth breathing does not. Did you know that breathing through our noses not only filters air, humidifies it, but also helps you access deeper, calmer states of awareness? (I had no clue!) If you struggle with sleep, energy, or anxiety—start with your nose. Literally.
💡 Coaching Helps You Discover What’s Possible
Derek also reminded me of why I do what I do. Coaching—whether it’s for breathwork or ADHD—is all about helping people discover what’s possible beyond the diagnosis. ADHD doesn’t define us. But understanding how our brains and bodies work? That gives us the keys to thrive. If you are ready to confirm your (official) spot on Team ADHD by getting a professional diagnosis, our friends at ADHD online can help. Use code COACHRYAN50 at checkout for $50 off!
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never explored breathwork before, let this be your sign. It’s not just for yogis or meditation gurus—it’s for us. The overthinkers. The emotionally intense. The easily distracted. The passionate, creative, chaotic minds trying to do big things in a noisy world.
Start by pausing. Inhale through your nose. Exhale slowly. Notice how you feel.That awareness is where it all begins.
Listen to the full episode now to start this amazing breathing journey.
