A method for the super-activation of emulsion polymers is provided. The method includes carrying out a one to three-step polymer activation process to form an activated polymer-diluent mixture, the steps selected from (a)-(d): (a) premixing the first polymer-diluent mixture at a predetermined pressure to form a second polymer-diluent mixture; (b) blending the first polymer-diluent mixture or the second polymer-diluent mixture with a blending device to form a blended polymer-diluent mixture; (c) (i) recycling the blended polymer-diluent mixture to be blended as in step (b) or premixed as in step (a) at a predetermined pressure; or (ii) recycling the second polymer-diluent mixture to be premixed as in step (a) at a predetermined pressure; and (d) reducing the pressure in a portion of the blended polymer-diluent mixture or the second polymer-diluent mixture to relax the polymer and form a relaxed polymer-diluent mixture.