ST. PAUL, Minn. – Fans of the Minnesota Vikings may find themselves curbing their enthusiasm when it comes to their team's playoff chances.

And they're far from alone. In fact, psychologists even have a term for it.

"'Defensive pessimism' would absolutely be appropriate here," said Dr. John Tauer, a psychology professor and men's basketball coach at the University of St. Thomas.

Tauer said it's simply natural for fans to approach the playoffs cautiously, while recalling the painful past of their hometown team. And though some may be quick to criticize a negative mentality, Tauer said it's not unlike what people do in other areas of life, as well.

"It's not much different than going into an interview and saying, 'I don't want to get my hopes up, because I've had three other interviews, and I didn't get those jobs,'" he said.

But the key – Tauer said – is to savor the moment, whether it comes to life in general, or the football playoffs in particular.

"When we're absorbed in the moment, things are pretty good. If we start worrying about what could happen down the road, all those bad things – that usually is paralyzing to us, psychologically and emotionally," Tauer said.

KFAN host Dan Cole – known as "The Common Man – agrees it can be a struggle to maintain an optimistic outlook when it comes to the Vikings.

"Like those of us who watched those four Super Bowl losses, you almost have that 'it's not if, it's when, when will the other shoe drop,'" he said.

But Cole advises fans to lean on a mentality he first learned from someone in the military.

"He called it HALE. High aspirations, low expectations. So you aspire to get to the Super Bowl. Or at least win each game on the way, but you can keep your expectations a little tempered. I think it's healthier that way for a Viking fan, to be honest," Cole said.