Maybe “The Matrix” wasn’t so far-fetched.
We’ve all become addicted to the almighty algorithm, seeking out quick fixes by way of social media, apps and web updates. And according to two new brain-boosting books, it’s affecting our ability to think straight. That’s what father-and-son doctor duo David and Austin Perlmutter argue in “Brain Wash: Detox Your Mind for Clearer Thinking, Deeper Relationships, and Lasting Happiness” (Hachette), which comes out next week. It’s seconded by mindfulness guru Deepak Chopra in “Metahuman: Unleashing Your Infinite Potential” (Harmony), out now.
“The deck is stacked against us,” says Austin, 31, an internal medicine specialist living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “Targeted ads, tailored YouTube videos on autoplay, it all is designed to hack our brains.”
David, 65, a neurologist in Naples, Florida, and the best-selling author of “Grain Brain,” tells The Post that it just sort of hit him one day — perhaps the poor decisions his patients were making, such as staying up late, downing doughnuts and bingeing on Netflix for hours, weren’t necessarily their fault.
“[We] realized that so many factors these days are actually causing our brains to be rewired away from the ability to make good decisions in the first place,” David says.
For Chopra, 73, a celebrated endocrinologist and the best-selling author of dozens of books, writing “Metahuman” was about helping readers see how their patterns were actually blocking them from embracing healthier lifestyles.
“Our brains are shaped by our experiences and the choices we make,” Chopra says. So, for example, if we’re choosing to be in the office for 10 hours a day, our brains make that the priority. “Let’s stop being biological robots.”
So here’s to reclaiming our brains in 2020! Get started with these mind-sharpening tips from the experts.
Interrogate yourself
Chopra recommends starting every day by asking these questions: What do I want? What is my purpose? What am I grateful for? By focusing on what you’re grateful for, you’ll automatically be happier, he says. “When you are grateful for what you already have, it makes you much happier during your day,” Chopra says.
De-stress your desk
If you are generally desk-bound, simply looking at a photo of nature has been shown to boost mood and lower levels of stress, David Perlmutter says. “Being in nature reduces inflammation and makes you more compassionate,” he says. “Keeping a living plant at your desk, or even just a photo of a natural environment will lower levels of stress hormones, like cortisol.”
Liberate your lunch hour
Many of us are stuck eating sad desk salads, but Chopra recommends finding some sort of peace every day. Even if it’s just 10 minutes in one of the many, sometimes hidden, pocket parks in the city. “Walk someplace calm and sit, for even just a few minutes, so your mind and body can return to balance,” Chopra says.
Slow down with the stimulants
The Perlmutters say it’s important to make 2 p.m. a hard stop when it comes to caffeine consumption. “Our recommendation is to stop after 2 p.m. — no coffee, no caffeinated tea, no energy drinks, no kombucha. Even the dark chocolate you may be eating late at night could be keeping you up,” David says.
Pocket your phone
When New Yorkers walk, their heads are down and they’re on their phones, Chopra says. “We live in the richest, most vibrant microcosm on the planet and no one pays attention,” he says. “Imagine what you could learn and who could you meet simply by looking up once in a while.”
Soak it in
Chopra says one of his favorite things to do is immerse himself in bustling areas like Union Square and breathe in the smells, listen to the music and embrace the different cultures surrounding him. By having new experiences, you’re making new connections in the brain. “The greenery, the entertainers, the children, dogs, pets,” Chopra says. “These are the people who are having a good time in New York. By exposing yourself to other cultures, you are more open-minded and less racist.”
Get generous
Next time you encounter a homeless person, try not to avert your eyes. Instead, consider it an opportunity to make a quick difference. “I go to the bank to get money and I walk around with my grandchildren and try to give that money away,” he says. “My grandson is 11 and he loves it. You learn to appreciate the gifts of existence by listening to people and taking in their experiences.”
Set a timer
We’ve all been there: You open Instagram to look at your cousin’s birthday pics and the next thing you know it’s been an hour of mindless scrolling. Austin recommends taking advantage of the screen time tools available on your phone to set strict limits when it comes to social media and binge-watching. “These [apps] are controlling you for their monetary benefit at the expense of your health and happiness,” he says. “Setting timers to limit screen time really works.”
Stop scrolling yourself to sleep
We are looking at screens for more than six hours a day, Austin says. “That’s time away from nature, away from making real-life social connections and it’s wreaking havoc on our brains,” he says. For a quick fix, try a blue light screen blocker or amber-tinted glasses that block blue light. “Blue light inhibits melatonin and will disrupt your sleep,” David says.
Celebrate shut-eye
Forget “the city that never sleeps.” Sleep is essential for good decision making, David says. “A lack of sleep [leads to] poor and impulsive decisions,” he says. “Not sleeping increases chronic inflammation that can lead to disease and weight gain.” He also recommends letting in natural sunlight in the morning to help reset the body’s clock naturally.