Why should I stay up for 60-90 minutes? It seems like going right back 2 bed would do it just fine.
Honestly, the amount of time you spend awake is completely up to you. People usually say 60 to 90 minutes because that gives yourself a chance to actually wake up a bit and have some brain activity going. Once that time period has passed and you’re ready for sleep, you will instantly enter a REM state with a higher amount of consciousness. While this does benefit you more, going to sleep a couple of minutes after waking up is also perfectly fine. Try either way, see what works better.
So the purpose is just to make maintaining consciousness easier? Or is it somehow involved with the REM cycle because as soon as I turn off my alarm this morning I was able to stay conscious.
Exactly right (the first thing you said). It’s all about making the whole maintaining consciousness an easier process. No matter what, when you go back to sleep, you’ll most likely be in a REM cycle.
Like I said earlier, just play with the times and see what you feel most comfortable with. Good luck 
I woke up and stayed awake for 20 minutes. I ate a banana and acted goofy. I read on this site to do that. I was tired and actually proud I awoke so I went back to sleep and had a tiny WBTB LD. It was my very first attempt. I have been keeping DJ’s since I was 13 about. My DR is pretty amazing so I read on here to first have DR then you should be awake anywhere 10-60 minutes. Sup’ to you if you wanna go online or eat or potty or shower, pass some time.
I dont stay up at all usually. I roll right over and go back to sleep, but keep my brain concious. The only reason to stay up longer is if you can’t keep your mind awake while going right back to sleep.