It sounds like all the settings are correct, so I would suggest simply powering off the watch and turning it back on. Make sure it’s updated also and hopefully it will sort itself out.

Reddit is not an accurate gauge for how normal users feel about an update. You hear from the loudest children in the room.

I see absolutely no reason to max out. Go with any configuration up to what you’re comfortable spending. Seems like you’d want a good amount of storage for what you’re doing, but I don’t see any reason to really go nuts with memory. Mid-level will be plenty.

Nope

It’s a very solid watch that will last for quite a while. Updates have been fairly minimal since then. Just remember that any time you pair a new watch and set it up, it’ll be doing a LOT of actions in the background for a bit. So don’t be surprised with minor bugs and poor battery performance, but should be good to go after that first day.

You have a sleep time set, but that won’t automatically turn off notifications. Like someone else mentioned, turn on your Sleep Focus when you get in bed.

I noticed the same thing this week. I’m almost never sick but got hit pretty hard with cough/fever. Resting heart rate shot way up.

Genuinely sounds like you’re confused and doing something wrong. Not enough info really to go off of here.