Automatic login but still require password?

I have an M1 Mac mini, and I have to restart it every night otherwise it slows to a crawl and becomes unusable. I am too lazy to figure out what is causing it.

What I want to be able to do is have the machine log into my account automatically and start the apps that I use, but not allow anyone to see anything without typing a password. This way the machine will always be ready to use without my waiting to boot, and the apps that are supposed to constantly manage some things will always be running. But, it the machine gets stolen, it won't just open itself up wide to the thieves when they boot it up. Is there a way to accomplish this?

Thanks!