Because the death of a spouse creates a void in one' s life and leads to depression, it is very difficult to lead a normal life after the death of a spouse. The ability to lead a normal life after the death of a spouse is improved by filling the void with another important element. In one study, half of those attempting to recover after the death of a spouse were told to embark on a new career, and the other half were told to take time off work to fully comprehend their loss. After one year, those in the first group reported lower rates of depression and positive feelings about their lives, and the second group reported higher rates of depression and negative feelings about their lives.
Work, or engaging in time and energy-consuming activities, can often lead to depression in otherwise healthy people each of the following, if true, strengthens the argument above EXCEPT.