Lost a few hours this weekend on Pinterest? You might jokingly call the site "addictive," but new studies suggest that you could be more right than you know.

The condition is called "Internet addiction disorder" (IAD), and we'll probably be hearing a lot more about it in the coming years. Even Deepak Chopra has weighed in on this 21st century problem.

While some doubt the existence of the disorder, research published in the science journal, PLoS ONE, suggests that obsessive Internet use can actually damage the brain, similar to alcohol or drug dependency. 

Brain scans of Internet-addicted participants showed reductions in their white matter, or the neuronal fiber pathways that connect parts of the brain together. Disruption of these pathways can negatively impact emotions, decision-making, and self-control. The study also suggested that if the addition continued, the changed brain structure would likely be permanent.

Sounds pretty scary, right? But there's no need to panic and toss out your "crackberry" just yet. True IAD means a person is literally unable to control their Internet use, at the expense of their lives and relationships. 

Most of us who kill and hour here and there on Etsy or Facebook are unlikely to undergo any permanent brain alteration. However, taking a technology time-out now and again is never a bad idea. You may even find it a relaxing change of pace.

Like Deepak says in the video, it's all about mindfulness when it comes to the Internet.

"Technology is not stoppable. That's the problem…. But what you can see is that when you practice mindfulness, you rewire the brain in a completely different direction."

Do you spend too much time surfing? What do you do to cut back on Internet dependency?

Are you victim of “mind chatter?” These are the voices in your head telling you that you’re not good enough to succeed. These self-defeating voices cause people to get stopped and stressed out.

One way to overcome stress is through awareness practices, which are designed to quiet the busy mind, relax the body, and be present. By using techniques such as breathing, visual imagery and meditation to slow down and focus on the present moment you will be able to tap into a higher level of awareness. You can escape the mind chatter.

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps would not have been able to achieve his gold medals had he been listening to the whistles and the cheering in the background. He is renowned for envisioning every race before he dives into the water. He focuses on the time he wants to achieve—down to the hundredth of a second—and the exact stroke count per lap he needs to achieve his goal. You can do the same.

What is your goal? Write it down and truly envision it. What will your life look like if you achieve this? What are steps you need to take to accomplish your dream?

In today’s fast-paced world we end up eating in the car, at our desks or in front of the TV. We’ve forgotten that eating is its own activity to savor and enjoy. Many times, we are not conscious of how much we are actually eating and end up overeating before we realize that we are actually stuffed.

Here are five ways to slow down and listen to your body:

1.   Sit down to eat. Take time out of your day to enjoy a meal with your family. Not only will this slow you down, but it’s a great bonding experience.

2.   Turn off the television. This will help you focus only on the food. You will also be less likely to be tempted by fast food commercials.

3.   Take a bite, take a breath. Chewing helps with digestion and will allow you to enjoy your food more. Try putting your utensil down in between each bite.

4.   Keep a food journal. Write down what you eat at each meal or snack and how you feel afterwards. This will help you be a more mindful eater.

5.   Cook more. When you prepare your own meals you have control over the quality and quantity of ingredients. Your body’s natural intelligence will fine-tune your cooking style to create meals that are just what you need.

As you slowly incorporate these changes you will become a more conscious eater and be able to recognize if you are actually hungry or full. A recent article on MSNBC highlighted some of these very changes. For more ways to quiet the mind and listen to your body check out the story.