We've learned early on in life that it's better to win, and in order to win, we need to be competitive. Although this attitude works well in sports and games, it can rear its ugly head in a romantic relationship. Too much competition can cause both partners to constantly try to outdo each other, which can cause added stress, jealousy and conflict.

However, just the right amount of competition can add spark to an otherwise boring relationship. Plus, it can make both partners motivated to improve their job or household situations. Here are some tips to create healthy competition in your relationship.

Healthy competition can make boring household chores much more fun. For example, you can divvy up jobs between you and your partner and make a game out it. He does the laundry and you clean the kitchen, and see who finishes first. You can race to get your jobs done first, and have a cleaner house in the process.

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Healthy competition can also help your relationships in terms of finances. You can play a game to see who can save the most money in one week. If you're shopping for a new appliance, electronic device or even a new car, you can both compete to see who can find the cheapest price.

If you don't have any new purchases planned, you can use your competitive nature to raise money for someone or something else, such as a charity. Agree on a shared cause and see who can earn the most money. You'll feel good knowing that you used your competitive nature to do good for others.